Erin Springs Mansion · Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Lindsay than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindsay gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #119 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1983.
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 Lindsay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lindsay 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
Hail
Strong wind
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 Lindsay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lindsay, and Lindsay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #119 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lindsay’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, Lindsay has more expected damage per building than 91% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Lindsay: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lindsay flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lindsay, from FEMA’s records: 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lindsay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Garvin County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lindsay
Disasters that paid out in Lindsay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lindsay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$18K to the City of Lindsay for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$280K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$100K to the City of Lindsay for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$164K to the City of Lindsay for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$3K to the City of Lindsay for repairs
- 2009Wildfires8 households applied for aid$102K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$937 to the City of Lindsay for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$51K to the City of Lindsay for repairs
Garvin County has had 24 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Garvin County, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Lindsay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lindsay archive →Get ready for what Lindsay 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Lindsay
Is Lindsay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindsay has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #119 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tornadoes (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 Lindsay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Lindsay since 1983, $212K in all, or 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lindsay 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 Garvin County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lindsay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lindsay’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 Lindsay?
By FEMA money that reached Lindsay, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 30 households applied for aid, $280K approved.
Is Lindsay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Lindsay’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lindsay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lindsay’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.