On FEMA’s figures, Owasso faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owasso gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #12 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1984.
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 Owasso 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
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 Owasso’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owasso, and Owasso’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #12 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owasso’s residents live in 12 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, Owasso has less expected damage per building than 92% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.9M a year in losses across Owasso: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owasso flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Owasso, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Owasso isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulsa County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Owasso
Disasters that paid out in Owasso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Owasso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$219 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$127K to the City of Owasso for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms34 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$77K to the City of Owasso for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$14K to the City of Owasso for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the City of Owasso for repairs
Show all 10
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Owasso for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$702K to the City of Owasso for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$34K to the City of Owasso for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$17K to the City of Owasso for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Owasso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owasso archive →Owasso and its neighbors
Owasso has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owasso | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Collinsville | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Owasso 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.
- 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 Owasso
Is Owasso at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owasso has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #12 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Owasso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Owasso since 1984, $113K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Owasso 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 Tulsa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Owasso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Owasso’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 Owasso?
By FEMA money that reached Owasso, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $702K to the City of Owasso for repairs.
Is Owasso at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Owasso’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owasso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owasso’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.