Creek National Capitol · Photo: Rdlogan05 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Okmulgee than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Okmulgee gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #96 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then ice storms (21%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2007.
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 Okmulgee 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
Ice storms
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 Okmulgee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Okmulgee, and Okmulgee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #96 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Okmulgee’s residents live in 6 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, Okmulgee has more expected damage per building than 73% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Okmulgee: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Okmulgee flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Okmulgee, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Okmulgee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Okmulgee County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Okmulgee
Disasters that paid out in Okmulgee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Okmulgee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding68 households applied for aid$173K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding376 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms91 households applied for aid$67K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$105K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$25K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding163 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$40K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes31 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat8 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$4K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$68K to the City of Okmulgee for repairs
Okmulgee 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Okmulgee County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Okmulgee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Okmulgee archive →Get ready for what Okmulgee 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.
- 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.
- 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 Okmulgee
Is Okmulgee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Okmulgee has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #96 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and ice storms (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Okmulgee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Okmulgee since 2007, $745K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Okmulgee 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 Okmulgee County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Okmulgee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Okmulgee’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 Okmulgee?
By FEMA money that reached Okmulgee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): 376 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved.
Is Okmulgee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Okmulgee’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Okmulgee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Okmulgee’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.