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C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Thomas · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in Thomas than in 75% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomas gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then tornadoes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

River and rain flooding 47%Tornadoes 15%Ice storms 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 75%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade
Hazard risk
C−
in Oklahoma · higher than 75% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
47% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
7
of 27 declared for Custer County
By hazard

What Thomas 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

47%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 1 years in the area

Tornadoes

15%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Ice storms

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Hail

10%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 9 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Winter storms top 5% Cold waves Lightning 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 drought at 22% of Thomas’ expected losses. Drought does little damage to buildings (0.0%), 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 Thomas’ grade

River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thomas, and Thomas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Thomas sits
Thomas
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).

All of Thomas’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding47%Tornadoes15%Ice storms13%Everything else25%

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Thomas: $412K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Shared tract.All of Thomas’ 1,143 residents (2020 census) live in one census tract, which it shares with Custer City town (367 residents) and Butler town (208 residents). FEMA publishes its model by tract, so the rate and the hazard mix are the tract’s, the same for all of them. The flood claims below are the town’s own.
A shared figure. The grade describes the whole tract, not each street in it, and FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Thomas flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Thomas. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Thomas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Custer County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
10storm safe rooms built
Disasters

7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thomas

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

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
  2. 2020Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Thomas for repairs
  3. 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Thomas for repairs
  4. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Thomas for repairs
  5. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$18K to the City of Thomas for repairs
  6. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$22K to the City of Thomas for repairs
Show all 7
  1. 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$13K to the City of Thomas for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in ThomasCuster County only

Custer 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.

Were you here?

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

Add to the Thomas archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Thomas 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 ↗
Ice storms
  • 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.
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 ↗
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 Thomas

Is Thomas at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomas has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is Thomas 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 Custer County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Thomas?

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

By FEMA money that reached Thomas, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 14 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $18K to the City of Thomas for repairs.

Is Thomas at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Thomas’ rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thomas.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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