Oklahoma College for Women Historic District · Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Chickasha faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chickasha gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #55 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 152 claims here since 1978.
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 Chickasha’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chickasha 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 Chickasha’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chickasha, and Chickasha’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #55 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chickasha’s residents live in 7 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, Chickasha has less expected damage per building than 58% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Chickasha: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chickasha flood? Yes: 152 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chickasha, from FEMA’s records: 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms8 claims · $282K
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $7K
Chickasha isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grady County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chickasha
Disasters that paid out in Chickasha itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chickasha), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$380K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$66K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding52 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$426K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding129 households applied for aid$421K aid approved$41K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$187K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$359K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$35K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes39 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$15K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$21K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$14K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$92K to the City of Chickasha for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$749K to the City of Chickasha for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Grady County has had 29 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 Grady County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Chickasha after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chickasha archive →Chickasha and its neighbors
Chickasha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickasha | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
| Ninnekah | — | 966 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 Chickasha 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 Chickasha
Is Chickasha at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chickasha has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #55 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chickasha flood?
Flood insurance has paid 152 claims in Chickasha since 1978, $3.5M in all, or 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (8).
Is Chickasha 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 Grady County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chickasha?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chickasha’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 Chickasha?
By FEMA money that reached Chickasha, Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99 (1999): $749K to the City of Chickasha for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 8 paid, $282K.
Is Chickasha at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Chickasha’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chickasha.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chickasha’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.