Photo: Jeremy Wagg · Public domainFor ice storms, McAlester’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McAlester gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #9 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then ice storms (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 McAlester 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
Tornadoes
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 McAlester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in McAlester, and McAlester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #9 of 131 in Oklahoma; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McAlester’s residents live in 6 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, McAlester has less expected damage per building than 94% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across McAlester: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McAlester flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McAlester, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McAlester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pittsburg County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McAlester
Disasters that paid out in McAlester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McAlester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$569K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms93 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$199K to the City of McAlester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$38K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding192 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$259K to the City of McAlester for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$100K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$105K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$535K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat3 households applied for aid$1K to the City of McAlester for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$450K to the City of McAlester for repairs
Pittsburg County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of McAlester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McAlester archive →McAlester and its neighbors
McAlester has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAlester | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Krebs | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 McAlester 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.
- 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.
- 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 McAlester
Is McAlester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McAlester has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #9 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and ice storms (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McAlester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in McAlester since 1996, $54K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McAlester 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 Pittsburg County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McAlester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McAlester’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 McAlester?
By FEMA money that reached McAlester, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $569K to the City of McAlester for repairs.
Is McAlester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and McAlester’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McAlester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McAlester’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.