Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lawton faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #51 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 497 claims here since 1978.
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 Lawton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lawton 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
Strong wind
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 Lawton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawton, and Lawton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #51 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawton’s residents live in 31 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, Lawton has less expected damage per building than 62% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.8M a year in losses across Lawton: $21.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawton flood? Yes: 497 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawton, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms53 claims · $2.4M
- The Thunderstorms16 claims · $476K
Lawton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Comanche County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawton
Disasters that paid out in Lawton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lawton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$2.0M to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms184 households applied for aid$74K aid approved$103K to the City of Lawton for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$369K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$616K to the City of Lawton for repairs101 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding379 households applied for aid$537K aid approved$3.0M to the City of Lawton for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$1.6M to the City of Lawton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 14
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$76K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$147K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes356 households applied for aid$597K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$87K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$131K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$234K to the City of Lawton for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$732K to the City of Lawton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Comanche 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Comanche County, 2003–2011.
Old photos of Lawton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawton archive →Get ready for what Lawton 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Lawton residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lawton
Is Lawton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawton has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #51 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 497 claims in Lawton since 1978, $13.1M in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 65 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (53).
Is Lawton 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 Comanche County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawton?
Lawton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lawton?
By FEMA money that reached Lawton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 379 households applied for aid, $537K approved, and $3.0M to the City of Lawton for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 53 paid, $2.4M.
Is Lawton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Lawton’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawton’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.