Dow Grain Company Elevator · Photo: Melodibit · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Okarche than in 88% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Okarche gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then hail (21%). 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 stands out about Okarche’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Okarche 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
Hail
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Okarche’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Okarche, and Okarche’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Okarche’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Okarche: $614K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Okarche flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Okarche. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Okarche isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Canadian County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Okarche
Disasters that paid out in Okarche itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Okarche), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$575 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$4K to the Town of Okarche for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$51K to the Town of Okarche for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$2K to the Town of Okarche for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$3K to the Town of Okarche for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$14K to the Town of Okarche for repairs
Canadian 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Canadian County, 2011–2026.
Old photos of Okarche after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Okarche archive →Get ready for what Okarche 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Okarche
Is Okarche at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Okarche has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Okarche 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 Canadian County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Okarche?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Okarche’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 Okarche?
By FEMA money that reached Okarche, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $51K to the Town of Okarche for repairs.
Is Okarche at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Okarche’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Okarche.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Okarche’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.