Photo: kennethaw88 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Shawnee faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawnee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #62 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 74 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 stands out about Shawnee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shawnee 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 Shawnee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shawnee, and Shawnee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #62 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shawnee’s residents live in 14 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, Shawnee has less expected damage per building than 53% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Shawnee: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shawnee flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shawnee, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms11 claims · $290K
Shawnee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pottawatomie County.19 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shawnee
Disasters that paid out in Shawnee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shawnee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1,647 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$10.1M to the City of Shawnee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding61 households applied for aid$55K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$204K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$69K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding243 households applied for aid$366K aid approved$238K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
Show all 19
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding479 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$183K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$90K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds126 households applied for aid$154K aid approved$93K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Shawnee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$465K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$1K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes217 households applied for aid$386K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$49K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$64K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$20K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$53K to the City of Shawnee for repairs
Pottawatomie County has had 29 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pottawatomie County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Shawnee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shawnee archive →Shawnee and its neighbors
Shawnee has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnee | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Bethel Acres | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Shawnee 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 Shawnee
Is Shawnee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawnee has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #62 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shawnee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in Shawnee since 1983, $992K in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (11).
Is Shawnee 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 Pottawatomie County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shawnee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shawnee’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 Shawnee?
By FEMA money that reached Shawnee, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 1,647 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $10.1M to the City of Shawnee for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 11 paid, $290K.
Is Shawnee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Shawnee’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shawnee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shawnee’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.