Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Broken Bow’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broken Bow gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #81 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2019.
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 Broken Bow 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
Tornadoes
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 Broken Bow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Broken Bow, and Broken Bow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #81 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Broken Bow’s residents live in 4 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, Broken Bow has more expected damage per building than 62% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Broken Bow: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Broken Bow flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Broken Bow, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Broken Bow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McCurtain County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Broken Bow
Disasters that paid out in Broken Bow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Broken Bow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$37K to the City of Broken Bow for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$127K to the City of Broken Bow for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$3K to the City of Broken Bow for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$244K to the City of Broken Bow for repairs
McCurtain County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Broken Bow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Broken Bow archive →Broken Bow and its neighbors
Broken Bow has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Bow | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hochatown | — | 298 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
Get ready for what Broken Bow 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.
- 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.
- 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 Broken Bow
Is Broken Bow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broken Bow has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #81 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and ice storms (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Broken Bow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Broken Bow since 2019, $84K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Broken Bow 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 McCurtain County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Broken Bow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Broken Bow’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 Broken Bow?
By FEMA money that reached Broken Bow, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $244K to the City of Broken Bow for repairs.
Is Broken Bow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Broken Bow’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Broken Bow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Broken Bow’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.