Moore Public School Building · Photo: P. Melendez · CC BY 4.0Moore’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moore gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #43 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1978.
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 Moore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moore 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 Moore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moore, and Moore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #43 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moore’s residents live in 19 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, Moore has less expected damage per building than 68% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.6M a year in losses across Moore: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moore flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moore, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Moore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cleveland County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moore
Disasters that paid out in Moore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$2.4M to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding110 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$40K to the City of Moore for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,567 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$13.6M to the City of Moore for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds108 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$245K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$89K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$68K to the City of Moore for repairs
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$463K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes19 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$67K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes637 households applied for aid$600K aid approved$589K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$104K to the City of Moore for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$6.2M to the City of Moore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Cleveland County has had 30 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cleveland County, 2011–2025.
Old photos of Moore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moore archive →Moore and its neighbors
Moore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moore | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Norman | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
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 Moore 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 Moore
Is Moore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moore has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #43 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Moore since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Moore 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 Cleveland County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moore’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 Moore?
By FEMA money that reached Moore, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2013): 5,567 households applied for aid, $4.1M approved, and $13.6M to the City of Moore for repairs.
Is Moore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Moore’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moore’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.