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City Hall, Tecumseh, OklahomaPhoto: kennethaw88 · CC BY 4.0
C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Tecumseh · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Tecumseh faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tecumseh gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #105 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 46%Tornadoes 18%Hail 13%

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

more than 81%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#105 of 131 in Oklahoma
Hazard risk
C−#105 of 131
in Oklahoma · higher than 81% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
46% of expected building damage
Flood claims
17
paid since 1979 · $302K
Flooded more than once
3
properties
Disasters paid out here
18
of 29 declared for Pottawatomie County
By hazard

What Tecumseh 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

46%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

18%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 11 times a year in the area

Wildfire

11%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Strong wind Earthquakes Winter storms Lightning top 2% Cold waves top 2% Hurricanes Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 33% of Tecumseh’s expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (18.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Tecumseh’s grade

River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tecumseh, and Tecumseh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Tecumseh sits
Tecumseh
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #105 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Tecumseh’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding46%Tornadoes18%Hail13%Everything else24%

The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Tecumseh has more expected damage per building than 80% of Oklahoma towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Tecumseh: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Tecumseh covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Tecumseh flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tecumseh, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 4 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 1 claim1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 2 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 8 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 1 claim2025: 1 claim2026: 0 claims197919922007
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Thunderstorms4 claims · $78K
17
paid claims since 1979
$302K
paid to owners
3
homes flooded more than once
$18K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Tecumseh 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.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
33storm safe rooms built
Disasters

18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tecumseh

Disasters that paid out in Tecumseh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tecumseh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$55K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
  2. 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes47 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$164K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  3. 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
  4. 2020Severe Winter Storm$95K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  5. 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$45K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  6. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding147 households applied for aid$227K aid approved$28K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
Show all 18
  1. 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
  2. 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds215 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$198K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  3. 2010Severe Winter Storm$93K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  4. 2009Severe Winter Storm$5K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  5. 2007Severe Winter Storms$67K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  6. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$4K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  7. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes71 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
  8. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$3K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  9. 2007Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
  10. 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat3 households applied for aid$91 aid approved
  11. 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
  12. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$48K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in TecumsehPottawatomie County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Tecumseh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Tecumseh archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Tecumseh faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
  • Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
  • Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Tecumseh

Is Tecumseh at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tecumseh has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #105 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Tecumseh flood?

Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Tecumseh since 1979, $302K in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (4).

Is Tecumseh 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 Tecumseh?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tecumseh’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 Tecumseh?

By FEMA money that reached Tecumseh, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2010): 215 households applied for aid, $132K approved, and $198K to the City of Tecumseh for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 4 paid, $78K.

Is Tecumseh at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Tecumseh’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tecumseh.

Town Square →
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Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tecumseh’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.