Harrah’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrah gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #28 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Harrah 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 Harrah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrah, and Harrah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #28 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrah’s residents live in 4 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, Harrah has less expected damage per building than 79% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Harrah: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrah flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrah, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Harrah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oklahoma County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrah
Disasters that paid out in Harrah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$63K to the City of Harrah for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$57K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds62 households applied for aid$200K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$105K to the City of Harrah for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$8K to the City of Harrah for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$13K to the City of Harrah 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 Harrah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrah archive →Harrah and its neighbors
Harrah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrah | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Choctaw | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
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 Harrah 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Harrah
Is Harrah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrah has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #28 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Harrah since 2013, $7K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Harrah 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 Harrah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrah’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 Harrah?
By FEMA money that reached Harrah, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2010): 62 households applied for aid, $200K approved.
Is Harrah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Harrah’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrah’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.