On FEMA’s figures, Jay faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jay gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #75 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then ice storms (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Jay 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
Wildfire
Tornadoes
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 Jay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jay, and Jay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #75 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jay’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jay has more expected damage per building than 57% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Jay: $718K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jay flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jay. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jay
Disasters that paid out in Jay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$158K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$251K aid approved$6K to the City of Jay for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$3K to the City of Jay for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Jay for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$120K to the City of Jay for repairs
Delaware 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.
Old photos of Jay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jay archive →Jay and its neighbors
Jay has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Brush Creek | — | 101 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| New Eucha | — | 185 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Jay 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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 Jay
Is Jay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jay has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #75 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and ice storms (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jay 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 Delaware County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jay’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 Jay?
By FEMA money that reached Jay, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 48 households applied for aid, $251K approved, and $6K to the City of Jay for repairs.
Is Jay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Jay’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jay’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.