Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Checotah’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Checotah gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #26 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Checotah 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
Tornadoes
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 Checotah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Checotah, and Checotah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #26 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Checotah’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, Checotah has less expected damage per building than 81% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Checotah: $801K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Checotah flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Checotah, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Checotah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McIntosh County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Checotah
Disasters that paid out in Checotah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Checotah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms26 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$3K to the City of Checotah for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$21K to the City of Checotah for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$20K to the City of Checotah for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds32 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$23K to the City of Checotah for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Checotah for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$318K to the City of Checotah for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat22 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$144K to the City of Checotah for repairs
McIntosh County has had 21 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McIntosh County, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Checotah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Checotah archive →Get ready for what Checotah 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.
- 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.
- 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 Checotah
Is Checotah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Checotah has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #26 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Checotah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Checotah since 2021, $48K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Checotah 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 McIntosh County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Checotah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Checotah’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 Checotah?
By FEMA money that reached Checotah, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $318K to the City of Checotah for repairs.
Is Checotah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Checotah’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Checotah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Checotah’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.