Photo: w:en:Bencochran · CC BY-SA 2.5For tornadoes, Cushing’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cushing gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #34 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Cushing 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 Cushing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cushing, and Cushing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #34 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cushing’s residents live in 3 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, Cushing has less expected damage per building than 75% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Cushing: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cushing flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cushing, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cushing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Payne County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cushing
Disasters that paid out in Cushing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cushing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds8 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$242K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$239K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$7K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$728K to the City of Cushing for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat4 households applied for aid$8K to the City of Cushing for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$59K to the City of Cushing for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$8K to the City of Cushing for repairs
Payne County has had 27 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Payne County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Cushing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cushing archive →Get ready for what Cushing 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 Cushing
Is Cushing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cushing has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #34 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cushing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cushing since 1982, $112K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cushing 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 Payne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cushing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cushing’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 Cushing?
By FEMA money that reached Cushing, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $728K to the City of Cushing for repairs.
Is Cushing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Cushing’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cushing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cushing’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.