More hazard damage per building is expected in Del City than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Del City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #65 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 51 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 Del City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Del City 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
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 Del City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Del City, and Del City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #65 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Del City’s residents live in 8 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, Del City has less expected damage per building than 51% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.6M a year in losses across Del City: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Del City flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Del City, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $77K
Del City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Oklahoma County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Del City
Disasters that paid out in Del City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Del City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms67 households applied for aid$32K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$877K to the City of Del City for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$63K to the City of Del City for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding33 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$21K to the City of Del City for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding62 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$86K to the City of Del City for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$18K to the City of Del City for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.1M to the City of Del City for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$12K to the City of Del City for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$10K to the City of Del City for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$6.6M to the City of Del City for repairs
Oklahoma County has had 31 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 14 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Oklahoma County, 2005–2026.
Old photos of Del City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Del City archive →Del City and its neighbors
Del City is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
| Del City | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Smith Village | — | 40 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 Del City 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.
- 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.
- Del City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Del City
Is Del City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Del City has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #65 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Del City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Del City since 1979, $906K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (2).
Is Del City 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 Oklahoma County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Del City?
Del City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Del City?
By FEMA money that reached Del City, Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99 (1999): $6.6M to the City of Del City for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 2 paid, $77K.
Is Del City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Del City’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Del City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Del City’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.