Photo: TulGuy · CC BY 4.0Pryor Creek’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pryor Creek gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #38 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then ice storms (24%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1998.
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 Pryor Creek 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
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 Pryor Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pryor Creek, and Pryor Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #38 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pryor Creek’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, Pryor Creek has less expected damage per building than 72% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Pryor Creek: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pryor Creek flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pryor Creek, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $27K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $7K
Pryor Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mayes County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pryor Creek
Disasters that paid out in Pryor Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pryor Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$118K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$213K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$20K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$532K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$873K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$28K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs
Mayes County has had 22 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Mayes County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Pryor Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pryor Creek archive →Get ready for what Pryor Creek 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.
- 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 Pryor Creek
Is Pryor Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pryor Creek has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #38 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and ice storms (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pryor Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Pryor Creek since 1998, $1.3M in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Pryor Creek 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 Mayes County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pryor Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pryor Creek’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 Pryor Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Pryor Creek, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $873K to the City of Pryor Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $27K.
Is Pryor Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Pryor Creek’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pryor Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pryor Creek’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.