Photo: JB Lamb · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Verdigris’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Verdigris gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #56 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then ice storms (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2015.
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 Verdigris 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
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 Verdigris’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Verdigris, and Verdigris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #56 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Verdigris’ residents live in 3 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, Verdigris has less expected damage per building than 58% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Verdigris: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Verdigris flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Verdigris, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $2K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $4K
Verdigris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rogers County.The storms Verdigris remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for Rogers County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Verdigris itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20193 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Rogers County
- 20152 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Rogers County
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Rogers County has had 23 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.
Old photos of Verdigris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Verdigris archive →Verdigris and its neighbors
Verdigris has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdigris | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Claremore | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
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 Verdigris 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.
- 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 Verdigris
Is Verdigris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Verdigris has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #56 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and ice storms (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Verdigris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Verdigris since 2015, $80K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Verdigris 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 Rogers County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Verdigris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Verdigris’ 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 Verdigris?
By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Verdigris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Verdigris’ rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Verdigris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Verdigris’ 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.