Strother Memorial Chapel · Photo: kennethaw88 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Seminole faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #100 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%), then hail (31%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Seminole’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seminole 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Seminole’s grade
River and rain flooding is 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seminole, and Seminole’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 31%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #100 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seminole’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, Seminole has more expected damage per building than 76% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Seminole: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seminole flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seminole, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $3K
Seminole isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seminole County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seminole
Disasters that paid out in Seminole itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seminole), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding480 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$11K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding167 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$180K to the City of Seminole for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds124 households applied for aid$199K aid approved$35K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$41K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Seminole for repairs
Show all 15
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$9K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding48 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$210K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes47 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$17K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat91 households applied for aid$490K aid approved$6K to the City of Seminole for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$211K to the City of Seminole for repairs
Seminole County has had 23 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 Seminole County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Seminole after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seminole archive →Get ready for what Seminole 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.
- 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.
- 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 Seminole
Is Seminole at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #100 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (36%) and hail (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seminole flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Seminole since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Seminole 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 Seminole County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seminole?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seminole’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 Seminole?
By FEMA money that reached Seminole, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): 480 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Seminole at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and Seminole’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seminole.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seminole’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.