Photo: Fletcherspears · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Stillwater’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillwater gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #66 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 Stillwater’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stillwater 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 Stillwater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stillwater, and Stillwater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #66 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stillwater’s residents live in 16 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, Stillwater has more expected damage per building than 50% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.5M a year in losses across Stillwater: $12.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stillwater flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stillwater, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $6K
Stillwater is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Payne County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stillwater
Disasters that paid out in Stillwater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stillwater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds144 households applied for aid$510K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$68K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$4K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$619K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding131 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$97K to the City of Stillwater for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$52K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$111K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$7K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$158K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$19K to the City of Stillwater for repairs
Payne County has had 27 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Payne County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Stillwater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stillwater archive →Get ready for what Stillwater 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.
- Stillwater 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 Stillwater
Is Stillwater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stillwater has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #66 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stillwater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Stillwater since 1980, $893K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (1).
Is Stillwater 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 Payne County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stillwater?
Stillwater 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 Stillwater?
By FEMA money that reached Stillwater, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $619K to the City of Stillwater for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Stillwater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Stillwater’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stillwater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stillwater’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.