Jenson Tunnel · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Pocola’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocola gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #30 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then ice storms (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2015.
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 Pocola 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
Wildfire
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 Pocola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pocola, and Pocola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #30 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pocola’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, Pocola has less expected damage per building than 78% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Pocola: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pocola flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pocola, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $33K
Pocola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Le Flore County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pocola
Disasters that paid out in Pocola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pocola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms6 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$56K to the Town of Pocola for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$303K to the Town of Pocola for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Pocola for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$94K to the Town of Pocola for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$28K to the Town of Pocola for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$66K to the Town of Pocola for repairs
Le Flore County has had 26 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 Pocola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pocola archive →Pocola and its neighbors
Pocola is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkoma | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pocola | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rock Island | — | 684 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 Pocola 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.
- 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.
- 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 Pocola
Is Pocola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pocola has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #30 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pocola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Pocola since 2015, $68K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Pocola 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 Le Flore County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pocola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pocola’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 Pocola?
By FEMA money that reached Pocola, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 10 households applied for aid, $79K approved, and $303K to the Town of Pocola for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $33K.
Is Pocola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Pocola’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pocola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pocola’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.