Photo: Urbanative · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Oklahoma City than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oklahoma City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #59 of 131 in Oklahoma State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 996 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 Oklahoma City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #59 of 131 in Oklahoma State; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oklahoma City’s residents live in 240 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oklahoma State town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Oklahoma City has less expected damage per building than 55% of Oklahoma State towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Oklahoma City has higher expected damage per building than 61% (#243 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $268M, is the 22th largest of those 400.
Does Oklahoma City flood? Yes: 996 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oklahoma City, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms8 claims · $193K
- The Early winter storms2 claims · $9K
Oklahoma City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Oklahoma County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oklahoma City
Disasters that paid out in Oklahoma City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oklahoma City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds87 households applied for aid$123K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$487K to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,228 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$140K to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$19.4M to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$114K to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,576 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved94 flood claims paid that year
Show all 14
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,938 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved77 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds628 households applied for aid$131K aid approved77 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Wildfires33 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Tornadoes55 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding129 households applied for aid$204K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes207 households applied for aid$176K aid approved$753K to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat27 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes1,198 households applied for aid$684K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Its 3 counties have had 46 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 21 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 3 counties, 2005–2026.
Old photos of Oklahoma City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oklahoma City archive →Oklahoma City and its neighbors
Oklahoma City is 7th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmond | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Yukon | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Midwest City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Choctaw | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Moore | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Jones | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Oklahoma City | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 996 |
| Del City | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Spencer | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Newcastle | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tuttle | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Oklahoma City 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.
- Oklahoma City residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oklahoma City
Is Oklahoma City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oklahoma City has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #59 of 131 in Oklahoma State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oklahoma City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 996 claims in Oklahoma City since 1978, $18.8M in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 149 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (8).
Is Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Oklahoma City?
By FEMA money that reached Oklahoma City, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $19.4M to the City of Oklahoma City for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 8 paid, $193K.
Is Oklahoma City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Oklahoma City’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oklahoma City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oklahoma City’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.