Photo: Caleb Long · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Wagoner faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wagoner gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #49 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then ice storms (19%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1982.
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 Wagoner’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wagoner 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
Hail
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 Wagoner’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wagoner, and Wagoner’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #49 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wagoner’s residents live in 4 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, Wagoner has less expected damage per building than 63% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Wagoner: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wagoner flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wagoner, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wagoner isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wagoner County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wagoner
Disasters that paid out in Wagoner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wagoner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms33 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$123K to the City of Wagoner for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$118K to the City of Wagoner for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$21K to the City of Wagoner for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$107K to the City of Wagoner for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat1 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$33K to the City of Wagoner for repairs
Wagoner County has had 24 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wagoner County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Wagoner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wagoner archive →Get ready for what Wagoner 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wagoner
Is Wagoner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wagoner has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #49 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and ice storms (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wagoner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Wagoner since 1982, $419K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wagoner 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 Wagoner County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wagoner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wagoner’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 Wagoner?
By FEMA money that reached Wagoner, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 27 households applied for aid, $101K approved, and $123K to the City of Wagoner for repairs.
Is Wagoner at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Wagoner’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wagoner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wagoner’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.