Bizzell Library, University of Oklahoma · Photo: T3h wookiee · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Norman’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norman gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #46 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 127 claims here since 1979.
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 Norman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norman 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 Norman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norman, and Norman’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 #46 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norman’s residents live in 36 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, Norman has less expected damage per building than 65% of Oklahoma towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Norman has higher expected damage per building than 58% (#232 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $50.3M, is the 243th largest of those 400.
Does Norman flood? Yes: 127 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norman, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms10 claims · $323K
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $3K
Norman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cleveland County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norman
Disasters that paid out in Norman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds21 households applied for aid$74K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$750 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes50 households applied for aid$62K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$4.7M to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding949 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Norman for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding309 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$515K to the City of Norman for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Show all 17
- 2012Freedom and Noble Wildfires57 households applied for aid$491K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds208 households applied for aid$375K aid approved$409K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$198K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$222K to the City of Norman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$5.1M to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding127 households applied for aid$281K aid approved$156K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes209 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$181K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$11K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$18K to the City of Norman for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$260K to the City of Norman for repairs
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 Norman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norman archive →Norman and its neighbors
Norman is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noble | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| 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 |
| Newcastle | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Slaughterville | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Norman 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.
- Norman residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Norman
Is Norman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norman has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #46 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 127 claims in Norman since 1979, $2.7M in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (10).
Is Norman 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 Norman?
Norman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Norman?
By FEMA money that reached Norman, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $5.1M to the City of Norman for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 10 paid, $323K.
Is Norman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Norman’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norman’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.