B. W. McLean House and Office · Photo: Melodibit · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Jenks’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jenks gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #84 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 Jenks 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
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 Jenks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jenks, and Jenks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #84 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jenks’ 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, Jenks has more expected damage per building than 64% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across Jenks: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jenks flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jenks, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jenks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulsa County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jenks
Disasters that paid out in Jenks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jenks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms19 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$29K to the City of Jenks for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$590K to the City of Jenks for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the City of Jenks for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$18K to the City of Jenks for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$141K to the City of Jenks for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$26K to the City of Jenks for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$50K to the City of Jenks for repairs
Tulsa County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tulsa County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Jenks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jenks archive →Jenks and its neighbors
Jenks is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenpool | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Tulsa | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,197 |
| Jenks | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sapulpa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Bixby | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
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 Jenks 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.
- 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 Jenks
Is Jenks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jenks has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #84 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jenks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Jenks since 1986, $25K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jenks 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 Tulsa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jenks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jenks’ 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 Jenks?
By FEMA money that reached Jenks, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 34 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $590K to the City of Jenks for repairs.
Is Jenks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Jenks’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jenks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jenks’ 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.