Photo: Reservoirhill at English Wikipedia · Public domainPonca City’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ponca City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #29 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 Ponca City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ponca City 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
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 Ponca City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ponca City, and Ponca City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #29 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ponca City’s residents live in 7 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, Ponca City has less expected damage per building than 78% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.2M a year in losses across Ponca City: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ponca City flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ponca City, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms4 claims · $22K
Ponca City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kay County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ponca City
Disasters that paid out in Ponca City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ponca City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding64 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$1.2M to the City of Ponca City for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding147 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$343K to the City of Ponca City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$148K to the City of Ponca City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$179K to the City of Ponca City for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$104K to the City of Ponca City for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$4K to the City of Ponca City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$897K to the City of Ponca City for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$177K to the City of Ponca City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Kay County has had 30 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kay County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Ponca City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ponca City archive →Get ready for what Ponca City 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.
- 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.
- Ponca City residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ponca City
Is Ponca City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ponca City has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #29 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ponca City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Ponca City since 1979, $854K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (4).
Is Ponca City 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 Kay County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ponca City?
Ponca City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ponca City?
By FEMA money that reached Ponca City, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $1.2M to the City of Ponca City for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 4 paid, $22K.
Is Ponca City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Ponca City’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ponca City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ponca City’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.