Photo: Nils Huenerfuerst · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Tulsa faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tulsa gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #21 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2,197 claims here since 1978.
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 Tulsa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tulsa 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
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 Tulsa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tulsa, and Tulsa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #21 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tulsa’s residents live in 150 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, Tulsa has less expected damage per building than 85% of Oklahoma towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Tulsa has lower expected damage per building than 53% (#189 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $172M, is the 53th largest of those 400.
Does Tulsa flood? Yes: 2,197 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tulsa, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms4 claims · $27K
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $8K
Tulsa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 1) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tulsa County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tulsa
Disasters that paid out in Tulsa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tulsa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$2.8M to the City of Tulsa for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding447 households applied for aid$77K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,383 households applied for aid$901K aid approved$46K to the City of Tulsa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding538 households applied for aid$448K aid approved$6.5M to the City of Tulsa for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Show all 16
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$69K to the City of Tulsa for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding56 households applied for aid$23K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$519K to the City of Tulsa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$923K to the City of Tulsa for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$15.3M to the City of Tulsa for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1.4M to the City of Tulsa for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$15K to the City of Tulsa for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$987K to the City of Tulsa for repairs65 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$60K to the City of Tulsa for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
Its 3 counties have had 41 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 3 counties, 2006–2026.
Old photos of Tulsa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tulsa archive →Tulsa and its neighbors
Tulsa is 2nd of the 10 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakhurst | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tulsa | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,197 |
| Broken Arrow | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Turley | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Catoosa | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sand Springs | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 360 |
| Jenks | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sperry | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sapulpa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 172 |
| Bixby | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
| Fair Oaks | — | 88 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Tulsa 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.
- 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.
- Tulsa residents get 45% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tulsa
Is Tulsa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tulsa has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #21 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tulsa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,197 claims in Tulsa since 1978, $40.4M in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 82 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (4).
Is Tulsa 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 Tulsa County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tulsa?
Tulsa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 1), which takes 45% 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 Tulsa?
By FEMA money that reached Tulsa, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $15.3M to the City of Tulsa for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 4 paid, $27K.
Is Tulsa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Tulsa’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tulsa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tulsa’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.