Photo: duggar11 · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sulphur than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sulphur gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #93 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1990.
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 Sulphur 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 Sulphur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sulphur, and Sulphur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #93 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sulphur’s residents live in 2 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, Sulphur has more expected damage per building than 71% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Sulphur: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sulphur flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sulphur, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sulphur isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Murray County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sulphur
Disasters that paid out in Sulphur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sulphur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding577 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Sulphur for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$3K to the City of Sulphur for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$204K to the City of Sulphur for repairs
Murray County has had 17 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Murray County, 2000–2026.
Old photos of Sulphur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sulphur archive →Get ready for what Sulphur 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 Sulphur
Is Sulphur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sulphur has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #93 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sulphur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sulphur since 1990, $9K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sulphur 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 Murray County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sulphur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sulphur’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 Sulphur?
By FEMA money that reached Sulphur, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 577 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Sulphur for repairs.
Is Sulphur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Sulphur’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sulphur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sulphur’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.