Photo: Uyvsdi · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Park Hill than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Hill gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #98 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then wildfire (22%). 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 Park Hill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Park Hill 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
Wildfire
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 Park Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Park Hill, and Park Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #98 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Park Hill’s residents live in 4 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, Park Hill has more expected damage per building than 75% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Park Hill: $818K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Park Hill flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Park Hill. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Park Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Park Hill
Disasters that paid out in Park Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to Park Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Cherokee County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Park Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Park Hill archive →Park Hill and its neighbors
Park Hill is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahlequah | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Park Hill | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Woodall | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Zeb | — | 522 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Keys | — | 982 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Etta | — | 87 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Welling | — | 720 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Park Hill 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Park Hill
Is Park Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Hill has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #98 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and wildfire (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Park Hill 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 Cherokee County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Park Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Park Hill’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 Park Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Park Hill, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): 15 households applied for aid, $36K approved.
Is Park Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Park Hill’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Park Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Park Hill’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.