Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Catoosa than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catoosa gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #57 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 Catoosa 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
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 Catoosa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Catoosa, and Catoosa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #57 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Catoosa’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, Catoosa has less expected damage per building than 57% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Catoosa: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Catoosa flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Catoosa, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $23K
Catoosa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rogers County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Catoosa
Disasters that paid out in Catoosa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Catoosa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$125K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
Show all 9
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$184K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$316K to the City of Catoosa for repairs
Rogers County has had 23 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 Catoosa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Catoosa archive →Catoosa and its neighbors
Catoosa is 2nd of the 2 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 Catoosa 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.
- 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 Catoosa
Is Catoosa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Catoosa has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #57 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and ice storms (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Catoosa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Catoosa since 1984, $158K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Catoosa 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 Rogers County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Catoosa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Catoosa’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 Catoosa?
By FEMA money that reached Catoosa, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $316K to the City of Catoosa for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $23K.
Is Catoosa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Catoosa’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Catoosa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Catoosa’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.