Photo: Popsiclecrawfish · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Nichols Hills’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nichols Hills gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #37 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Nichols Hills 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
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 Nichols Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nichols Hills, and Nichols Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #37 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nichols Hills’ 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, Nichols Hills has less expected damage per building than 72% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Nichols Hills: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nichols Hills flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nichols Hills, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Nichols Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oklahoma County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nichols Hills
Disasters that paid out in Nichols Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nichols Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$998K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$61K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$257K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$344 aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$102K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
Show all 8
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$23K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$3K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs
Oklahoma County has had 31 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 14 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Oklahoma County, 2005–2026.
Old photos of Nichols Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nichols Hills archive →Nichols Hills and its neighbors
Nichols Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Village | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Nichols Hills | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Nichols Hills 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.
- 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 Nichols Hills
Is Nichols Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nichols Hills has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #37 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nichols Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Nichols Hills since 1978, $83K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Nichols Hills 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 Oklahoma County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nichols Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nichols Hills’ 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 Nichols Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Nichols Hills, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $998K to the City of Nichols Hills for repairs.
Is Nichols Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Nichols Hills’ rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nichols Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nichols Hills’ 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.