Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mangum than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mangum gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #54 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%), then strong wind (30%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Mangum 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
Strong wind
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 Mangum’s grade
River and rain flooding is 31% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mangum, and Mangum’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 30%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #54 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mangum’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, Mangum has less expected damage per building than 59% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Mangum: $926K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mangum flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mangum. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mangum isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greer County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mangum
Disasters that paid out in Mangum itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mangum), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$90K to the City of Mangum for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$49K to the City of Mangum for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$193K to the City of Mangum for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$10K to the City of Mangum for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$35K to the City of Mangum for repairs
Greer County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Mangum after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mangum archive →Get ready for what Mangum 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Mangum
Is Mangum at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mangum has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #54 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%) and strong wind (30%). 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.
Is Mangum 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 Greer County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mangum?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mangum’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 Mangum?
By FEMA money that reached Mangum, Severe Winter Storm (2010): $193K to the City of Mangum for repairs.
Is Mangum at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (31%), and Mangum’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mangum.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mangum’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.