Hedlund Motor Company Building · Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Elk City faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elk City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #47 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1988.
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 Elk 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Elk City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elk City, and Elk City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #47 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elk City’s residents live in 2 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, Elk City has less expected damage per building than 65% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Elk City: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elk City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elk City, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $1K
Elk City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beckham County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elk City
Disasters that paid out in Elk City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elk City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$21K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$267K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$80K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding142 households applied for aid$321K aid approved$81K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the City of Elk City for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$22K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$20K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$33K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$1K to the City of Elk City for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$51K to the City of Elk City for repairs
Beckham County has had 22 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 Beckham County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Elk City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elk City archive →Get ready for what Elk 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Elk City
Is Elk City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elk City has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #47 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elk City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Elk City since 1988, $42K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Elk 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 Beckham County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Elk City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elk City’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 Elk City?
By FEMA money that reached Elk City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 142 households applied for aid, $321K approved, and $81K to the City of Elk City for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Elk City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and Elk City’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elk City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elk 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.