Fort Gibson · Photo: Fred Q. Casler, Photographer · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fort Gibson than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Gibson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #70 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then ice storms (12%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1984.
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 Fort Gibson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Gibson 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
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 Fort Gibson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Gibson, and Fort Gibson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #70 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Gibson’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, Fort Gibson has more expected damage per building than 53% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Fort Gibson: $958K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Gibson flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Gibson, from FEMA’s records: 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fort Gibson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Muskogee County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Gibson
Disasters that paid out in Fort Gibson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fort Gibson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding229 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$233K to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$103K to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$913 to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$26K to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs
Muskogee County has had 26 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 Muskogee County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Fort Gibson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Gibson archive →Fort Gibson and its neighbors
Fort Gibson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskogee | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| Fort Gibson | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
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 Fort Gibson 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fort Gibson
Is Fort Gibson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Gibson has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #70 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and ice storms (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Gibson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Fort Gibson since 1984, $3.2M in all, or 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fort Gibson 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 Muskogee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Gibson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Gibson’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 Fort Gibson?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Gibson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 229 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $233K to the Town of Fort Gibson for repairs.
Is Fort Gibson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Fort Gibson’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Gibson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Gibson’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.