St. Stephen's Episcopal Church · Photo: Melodibit · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Chandler’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chandler gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #70 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Chandler’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chandler 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
Tornadoes
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 Chandler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chandler, and Chandler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #70 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chandler’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, Chandler has more expected damage per building than 53% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Chandler: $832K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chandler flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chandler, from FEMA’s records: 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chandler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chandler
Disasters that paid out in Chandler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chandler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$152K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$706 aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Chandler for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Chandler for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$316K to the City of Chandler for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$8K to the City of Chandler for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat19 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$14K to the City of Chandler for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$29K to the City of Chandler for repairs
Lincoln County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Chandler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chandler archive →Get ready for what Chandler 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.
- 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.
- 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 Chandler
Is Chandler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chandler has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #70 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chandler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Chandler since 1979, $96K in all, or 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chandler 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 Lincoln County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chandler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chandler’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 Chandler?
By FEMA money that reached Chandler, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $316K to the City of Chandler for repairs.
Is Chandler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Chandler’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chandler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chandler’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.