Photo: Clinton Steeds · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Poteau than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poteau gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #61 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then ice storms (14%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Poteau 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
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Poteau’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poteau, and Poteau’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #61 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Poteau’s residents live in 6 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, Poteau has less expected damage per building than 54% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Poteau: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poteau flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poteau, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Poteau 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poteau
Disasters that paid out in Poteau itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Poteau), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms18 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$275K to the City of Poteau for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$33K to the City of Poteau for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$219K to the City of Poteau 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 Poteau after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poteau archive →Poteau and its neighbors
Poteau has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poteau | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wister | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shady Point | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Poteau 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Poteau
Is Poteau at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poteau has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #61 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and ice storms (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Poteau flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Poteau since 1984, $88K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Poteau 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 Poteau?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poteau’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 Poteau?
By FEMA money that reached Poteau, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): $275K to the City of Poteau for repairs.
Is Poteau at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Poteau’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poteau.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poteau’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.