Photo: TulGuy · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sand Springs than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sand Springs gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #76 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 360 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 Sand Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sand Springs 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
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 Sand Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sand Springs, and Sand Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #76 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sand Springs’ residents live in 12 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, Sand Springs has more expected damage per building than 58% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Sand Springs: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sand Springs flood? Yes: 360 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sand Springs, from FEMA’s records: 43.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sand Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tulsa County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sand Springs
Disasters that paid out in Sand Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sand Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$965K to the City of Sand Springs for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms48 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding371 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Sand Springs for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2012Freedom and Noble Wildfires11 households applied for aid$98K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Sand Springs for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$34K to the City of Sand Springs for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.0M to the City of Sand Springs for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat1 households applied for aid$2K to the City of Sand Springs for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$80K to the City of Sand Springs for repairs78 flood claims paid that year
Tulsa County has had 29 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tulsa County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Sand Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sand Springs archive →Sand Springs and its neighbors
Sand Springs is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakhurst | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mannford | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tulsa | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,197 |
| Sand Springs | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 360 |
| Sperry | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sapulpa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Westport | — | 606 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 Sand Springs 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.
- 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.
- Sand Springs residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sand Springs
Is Sand Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sand Springs has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #76 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sand Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 360 claims in Sand Springs since 1979, $7.3M in all, or 43.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Sand Springs 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 Tulsa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sand Springs?
Sand Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Sand Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Sand Springs, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 371 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Sand Springs for repairs.
Is Sand Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Sand Springs’ rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sand Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sand Springs’ 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.