Photo: G. Edward Johnson · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Claremore than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claremore gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #73 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1981.
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 Claremore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Claremore 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
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 Claremore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Claremore, and Claremore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #73 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Claremore’s residents live in 10 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, Claremore has more expected damage per building than 55% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Claremore: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Claremore flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Claremore, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms5 claims · $242K
- The Thunderstorms4 claims · $60K
Claremore 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Claremore
Disasters that paid out in Claremore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Claremore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,348 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$5.4M to the City of Claremore for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$202K to the City of Claremore for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding99 households applied for aid$378K aid approved$78K to the City of Claremore for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$11K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the City of Claremore for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$20K to the City of Claremore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Claremore for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$52K to the City of Claremore for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.2M to the City of Claremore for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$45K to the City of Claremore 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 Claremore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Claremore archive →Claremore and its neighbors
Claremore 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 Claremore 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.
- 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 Claremore
Is Claremore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claremore has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #73 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and ice storms (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Claremore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Claremore since 1981, $1.8M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (5).
Is Claremore 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 Claremore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Claremore’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 Claremore?
By FEMA money that reached Claremore, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1,348 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $5.4M to the City of Claremore for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 5 paid, $242K.
Is Claremore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Claremore’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Claremore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Claremore’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.