John Frank House · Photo: Jeff M. Jones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Sapulpa faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sapulpa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #101 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then ice storms (15%). Flood insurance has paid 172 claims here since 1980.
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 Sapulpa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sapulpa 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
Hail
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 Sapulpa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sapulpa, and Sapulpa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #101 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sapulpa’s residents live in 17 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, Sapulpa has more expected damage per building than 77% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Sapulpa: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sapulpa flood? Yes: 172 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sapulpa, from FEMA’s records: 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sapulpa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Creek County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sapulpa
Disasters that paid out in Sapulpa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sapulpa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds5 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$86K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding309 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$385K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$11K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$498K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs
Creek County has had 25 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 14 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Creek County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Sapulpa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sapulpa archive →Sapulpa and its neighbors
Sapulpa is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenpool | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Oakhurst | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tulsa | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,197 |
| Sand Springs | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 360 |
| Jenks | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sapulpa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Kiefer | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kellyville | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mounds | — | not graded yet | |
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 Sapulpa 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sapulpa
Is Sapulpa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sapulpa has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #101 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sapulpa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 172 claims in Sapulpa since 1980, $1.8M in all, or 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Sapulpa 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 Creek County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sapulpa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sapulpa’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 Sapulpa?
By FEMA money that reached Sapulpa, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $498K to the City of Sapulpa for repairs.
Is Sapulpa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Sapulpa’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sapulpa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sapulpa’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.