Photo: Yamauchi · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Kingfisher’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingfisher gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #126 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 204 claims here since 1980.
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 Kingfisher’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kingfisher 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Kingfisher’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingfisher, and Kingfisher’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #126 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kingfisher’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, Kingfisher has more expected damage per building than 96% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Kingfisher: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingfisher flood? Yes: 204 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingfisher, from FEMA’s records: 91.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms4 claims · $71K
Kingfisher isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kingfisher County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingfisher
Disasters that paid out in Kingfisher itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingfisher), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$608K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$28K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$42K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$72K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$14K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
Show all 14
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$128K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding230 households applied for aid$946K aid approved$198K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$176K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$521K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$7K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$16K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs
Kingfisher County has had 30 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 Kingfisher County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Kingfisher after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingfisher archive →Get ready for what Kingfisher 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kingfisher
Is Kingfisher at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingfisher has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #126 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hail (22%). 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 Kingfisher flood?
Flood insurance has paid 204 claims in Kingfisher since 1980, $3.5M in all, or 91.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (4).
Is Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingfisher?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingfisher’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 Kingfisher?
By FEMA money that reached Kingfisher, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 230 households applied for aid, $946K approved, and $198K to the City of Kingfisher for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 4 paid, $71K.
Is Kingfisher at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Kingfisher’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingfisher.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingfisher’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.