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Blanchard Cityhall in 2023Photo: DanFromOklahoma · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Blanchard · FEMA

FEMA puts Blanchard’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blanchard gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #104 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1987.

River and rain flooding 54%Tornadoes 16%Hail 13%

Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded

more than 80%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#104 of 131 in Oklahoma
Hazard risk
C−#104 of 131
in Oklahoma · higher than 80% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
54% of expected building damage
Flood claims
7
paid since 1987 · $44K
Disasters paid out here
12
of 32 declared for McClain County
By hazard

What Blanchard faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

River and rain flooding

54%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

16%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 12 times a year in the area

Ice storms

7%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Strong wind Winter storms Cold waves top 2% Lightning Hurricanes Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 30% of Blanchard’s expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (16.3%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Blanchard’s grade

River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blanchard, and Blanchard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Blanchard sits
Blanchard
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #104 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Blanchard’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding54%Tornadoes16%Hail13%Everything else17%

The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Blanchard has more expected damage per building than 79% of Oklahoma towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Blanchard: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Blanchard covers 6 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Blanchard flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1987

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blanchard, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1987: 1 claim1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 3 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 1 claim2026: 0 claims198720072015
19872026
Biggest named events
  • The Early summer storms3 claims · $30K
7
paid claims since 1987
$44K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$6K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Blanchard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: McClain County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
370storm safe rooms built
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blanchard

Disasters that paid out in Blanchard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blanchard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes141 households applied for aid$704K aid approved
  2. 2020Severe Winter Storm$851K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  3. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding439 households applied for aid$688K aid approved$1.0M to the City of Blanchard for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$15K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  5. 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding144 households applied for aid$771K aid approved$300K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  6. 2009Severe Winter Storm$75K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
Show all 12
  1. 2007Severe Winter Storms$114K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  2. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$436 aid approved
  3. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes60 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$87K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  4. 2007Severe Winter Storms$71K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  5. 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
  6. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$67K to the City of Blanchard for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in BlanchardMcClain County only

McClain County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.

Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McClain County, 2006–2026.

Were you here?

Old photos of Blanchard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Blanchard archive →
Next door

Blanchard and its neighbors

Blanchard is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Newcastle: hazard risk C−Cole: not gradedBridge Creek: not gradedDibble: not gradedNewcastleColeBridge CreekDibbleBlanchard
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
NewcastleC−more damage than 79%river and rain flooding6
BlanchardC−more damage than 80%river and rain flooding7
Cole—848 residents; we grade 1,000+
Bridge Creek—356 residents; we grade 1,000+
Dibble—not graded yet

Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.

Be ready

Get ready for what Blanchard faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
  • Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
  • Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
  • A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
  • Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
  • Stay away from windows while it falls.
  • Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Ice storms
  • Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
  • Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
  • Keep sand or salt by the door.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
  • Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
  • Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Blanchard

Is Blanchard at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blanchard has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #104 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Blanchard flood?

Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Blanchard since 1987, $44K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (3).

Is Blanchard in a flood zone?

Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In McClain County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Blanchard?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blanchard’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.

What was the biggest storm in Blanchard?

By FEMA money that reached Blanchard, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 439 households applied for aid, $688K approved, and $1.0M to the City of Blanchard for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 3 paid, $30K.

Is Blanchard at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Blanchard’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blanchard.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blanchard’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.