On FEMA’s figures, McLoud faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLoud gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #91 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 McLoud 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
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 McLoud’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in McLoud, and McLoud’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #91 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McLoud’s residents live in 4 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, McLoud has more expected damage per building than 69% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across McLoud: $777K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McLoud flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McLoud, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $2K
McLoud isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pottawatomie County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McLoud
Disasters that paid out in McLoud itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McLoud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes27 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$65K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding118 households applied for aid$173K aid approved$178K to the City of McLoud for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$4K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
Show all 13
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$47K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$5K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of McLoud for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Pottawatomie County has had 29 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pottawatomie County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of McLoud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McLoud archive →McLoud and its neighbors
McLoud is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
| McLoud | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Dale | — | 293 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 McLoud 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.
- 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 McLoud
Is McLoud at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McLoud has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #91 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McLoud flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in McLoud since 1993, $5K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is McLoud 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 Pottawatomie 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 McLoud?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McLoud’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 McLoud?
By FEMA money that reached McLoud, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 118 households applied for aid, $173K approved, and $178K to the City of McLoud for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is McLoud at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and McLoud’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McLoud.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McLoud’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.