The "Y" Chapel of Song · Photo: JDessary · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Edmond’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edmond gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #13 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 70 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 Edmond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Edmond 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 Edmond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edmond, and Edmond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #13 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edmond’s residents live in 31 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, Edmond has less expected damage per building than 91% of Oklahoma towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Edmond has lower expected damage per building than 55% (#179 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $35.9M, is the 321th largest of those 400.
Does Edmond flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edmond, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Edmond is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Oklahoma County.19 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edmond
Disasters that paid out in Edmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Edmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds16 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms209 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$11.3M to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$1.5M to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
Show all 19
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$226K to the City of Edmond for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.2M to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds9 households applied for aid$575 aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes52 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$422K to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes56 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$65K to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$84K to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes62 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$257K to the City of Edmond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$390K to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$25K to the City of Edmond for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$41K to the City of Edmond for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$13K to the City of Edmond 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 Edmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edmond archive →Edmond and its neighbors
Edmond has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmond | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
| Guthrie | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 333 |
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 Edmond 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.
- Edmond 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 Edmond
Is Edmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edmond has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #13 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Edmond since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Edmond 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 Edmond?
Edmond 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 Edmond?
By FEMA money that reached Edmond, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $11.3M to the City of Edmond for repairs.
Is Edmond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Edmond’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edmond’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.