Photo: Smallboy944 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Pauls Valley’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pauls Valley gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #124 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1979.
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 Pauls Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pauls Valley 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
Strong wind
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 Pauls Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pauls Valley, and Pauls Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #124 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pauls Valley’s residents live in 3 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, Pauls Valley has more expected damage per building than 95% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Pauls Valley: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pauls Valley flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pauls Valley, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $25K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $1K
Pauls Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Garvin County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pauls Valley
Disasters that paid out in Pauls Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pauls Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$22K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$183K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$67K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$64K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$7K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat3 households applied for aid$30K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$23K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$19K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$94K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs
Garvin County has had 24 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 Garvin County, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Pauls Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pauls Valley archive →Get ready for what Pauls Valley 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Pauls Valley
Is Pauls Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pauls Valley has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #124 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pauls Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Pauls Valley since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (1).
Is Pauls Valley 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 Garvin County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pauls Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pauls Valley’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 Pauls Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Pauls Valley, Severe Winter Storm (2010): $183K to the City of Pauls Valley for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Pauls Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Pauls Valley’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pauls Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pauls Valley’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.