Photo: Scott5114 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Meeker faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meeker gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then tornadoes (19%). 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 Meeker 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
Wildfire
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 Meeker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meeker, and Meeker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Meeker’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $627K a year in losses across Meeker: $291K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Meeker flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Meeker. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Meeker isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Meeker
Disasters that paid out in Meeker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Meeker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$50K to the Town of Meeker for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$35K to the Town of Meeker for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$753 to the Town of Meeker for repairs
Lincoln County has had 34 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Meeker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meeker archive →Get ready for what Meeker 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Meeker
Is Meeker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meeker has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and tornadoes (19%). 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 Meeker 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 Lincoln County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Meeker?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Meeker’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 Meeker?
By FEMA money that reached Meeker, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $50K to the Town of Meeker for repairs.
Is Meeker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Meeker’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meeker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meeker’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.