FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kiefer than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kiefer gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then ice storms (13%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Kiefer 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
Wildfire
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 Kiefer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kiefer, and Kiefer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kiefer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Kiefer: $610K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kiefer flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kiefer, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $7K
Kiefer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Creek County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kiefer
Disasters that paid out in Kiefer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kiefer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$9K to the Town of Kiefer for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$2K to the Town of Kiefer for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$17K to the Town of Kiefer for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Creek County has had 25 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 Creek County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Kiefer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kiefer archive →Kiefer and its neighbors
Kiefer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapulpa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Kiefer | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Kiefer 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kiefer
Is Kiefer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kiefer has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) 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.
Does Kiefer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Kiefer since 1986, $189K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Kiefer 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 Creek County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kiefer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kiefer’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 Kiefer?
By FEMA money that reached Kiefer, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $17K to the Town of Kiefer for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Kiefer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Kiefer’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kiefer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kiefer’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.