Photo: Steven White (The Phase Master) · CC BY-SA 4.0Calera’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calera gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #22 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hail (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Calera 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
Hail
Ice storms
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 Calera’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Calera, and Calera’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #22 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Calera’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, Calera has less expected damage per building than 84% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Calera: $486K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Calera flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Calera. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Calera isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bryan County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calera
Disasters that paid out in Calera itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Calera), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$13K to the Town of Calera for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$5K to the Town of Calera for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat4 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$8K to the Town of Calera for repairs
Bryan County has had 18 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bryan County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Calera after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calera archive →Calera and its neighbors
Calera is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Calera 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Calera
Is Calera at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calera has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #22 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Calera 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 Bryan County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calera?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calera’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 Calera?
By FEMA money that reached Calera, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 19 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $13K to the Town of Calera for repairs.
Is Calera at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Calera’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calera.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calera’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.