Photo: David Dobbs · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Purcell than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Purcell gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #67 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1983.
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 Purcell 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 Purcell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Purcell, and Purcell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #67 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Purcell’s residents live in 4 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, Purcell has more expected damage per building than 51% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Purcell: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Purcell flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Purcell, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms7 claims · $371K
Purcell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McClain County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Purcell
Disasters that paid out in Purcell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Purcell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding80 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$286K to the City of Purcell for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$203K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$507K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$19K to the City of Purcell for repairs
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$44K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$66K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$33K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$24K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$11K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$47K to the City of Purcell for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$117K to the City of Purcell for repairs
McClain County has had 32 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in McClain County, 2006–2026.
Old photos of Purcell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Purcell archive →Purcell and its neighbors
Purcell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purcell | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Goldsby | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lexington | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Slaughterville | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Purcell 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Purcell
Is Purcell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Purcell has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #67 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Purcell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Purcell since 1983, $385K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (7).
Is Purcell 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 McClain County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Purcell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Purcell’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 Purcell?
By FEMA money that reached Purcell, Severe Winter Storm (2010): $507K to the City of Purcell for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 7 paid, $371K.
Is Purcell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Purcell’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Purcell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Purcell’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.