Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Durant’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Durant gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #3 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Durant’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Durant 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
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 Durant’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Durant, and Durant’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #3 of 131 in Oklahoma; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Durant’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, Durant has less expected damage per building than 98% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.8M a year in losses across Durant: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Durant flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Durant, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Durant isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bryan County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Durant
Disasters that paid out in Durant itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Durant), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$18K to the City of Durant for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of Durant for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding119 households applied for aid$190K aid approved$200K to the City of Durant for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Durant for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to the City of Durant for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$19K to the City of Durant for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$21K to the City of Durant for repairs
Bryan County has had 18 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 Bryan County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Durant after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Durant archive →Durant and its neighbors
Durant has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. 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 Durant 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.
- 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 Durant
Is Durant at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Durant has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #3 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Durant flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Durant since 1981, $42K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Durant 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 Bryan County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Durant?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Durant’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 Durant?
By FEMA money that reached Durant, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 119 households applied for aid, $190K approved, and $200K to the City of Durant for repairs.
Is Durant at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Durant’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Durant.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Durant’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.