Photo: TheWhitePelican · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Vinita than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinita gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then ice storms (30%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1999.
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 Vinita 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
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 Vinita’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vinita, and Vinita’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 30%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #130 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vinita’s 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, Vinita has more expected damage per building than 99% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Vinita: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vinita flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vinita, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Vinita isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Craig County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vinita
Disasters that paid out in Vinita itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vinita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding63 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$40K to the City of Vinita for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$7K to the City of Vinita for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the City of Vinita for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the City of Vinita for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$9K to the City of Vinita for repairs
Show all 10
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$16K to the City of Vinita for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$309K to the City of Vinita for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$196K to the City of Vinita for repairs
- 1999Ok, Tornadoes 5/3/99$31K to the City of Vinita for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Craig 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 Vinita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vinita archive →Vinita and its neighbors
Vinita has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinita | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| White Oak | — | 242 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 Vinita 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vinita
Is Vinita at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinita has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and ice storms (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vinita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Vinita since 1999, $971K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Vinita 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 Craig County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vinita?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vinita’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 Vinita?
By FEMA money that reached Vinita, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $309K to the City of Vinita for repairs.
Is Vinita at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Vinita’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vinita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vinita’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.