Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bristow faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bristow gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #77 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1995.
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
What Bristow 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
Ice storms
Wildfire
Hail
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.
What’s behind Bristow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bristow, and Bristow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #77 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bristow’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bristow has more expected damage per building than 58% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Bristow: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bristow flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bristow, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bristow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Creek County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bristow
Disasters that paid out in Bristow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bristow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$164K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Freedom and Noble Wildfires65 households applied for aid$544K aid approved
- 2011Flooding$9K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Bristow for repairs
Show all 17
- 2010Flooding$21K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$232K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$3K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$13K to the City of Bristow for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$3K to the City of Bristow for repairs
Creek County has had 25 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 14 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Creek County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Bristow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bristow archive →Get ready for what Bristow faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bristow
Is Bristow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bristow has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #77 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bristow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Bristow since 1995, $1K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bristow 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 Creek County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bristow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bristow’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 Bristow?
By FEMA money that reached Bristow, Freedom and Noble Wildfires (2012): 65 households applied for aid, $544K approved.
Is Bristow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Bristow’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bristow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bristow’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.