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United States Post Office WatongaUnited States Post Office Watonga · Photo: Pigdogx · CC BY-SA 4.0
DHazard risk
Natural hazards in Watonga · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in Watonga than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by hail

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watonga gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #123 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is hail (31%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.

Hail 31%River and rain flooding 25%Ice storms 21%

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 89%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#123 of 131 in Oklahoma
Hazard risk
D#123 of 131
in Oklahoma · higher than 89% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hail
31% of expected building damage
Flood claims
3
paid since 2007 · $72K
Disasters paid out here
14
of 27 declared for Blaine County

What stands out about Watonga’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Hail: the top 1% of U.S. tractsFEMA’s building-damage rate for hail here ranks in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts; it is 30.9% of the damage it expects.Made safer with FEMA grants8 storm safe rooms built with FEMA grants.
By hazard

What Watonga faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hail

31%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 9 times a year in the area

River and rain flooding

25%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Ice storms

21%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

11%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Wildfire Winter storms 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 cold waves at 9% of Watonga’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.1%), 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 Watonga’s grade

Hail is 31% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watonga, and Watonga’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Watonga sits
Watonga
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D #123 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Watonga’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hail31%River and rain flooding25%Ice storms21%Everything else23%

The typical Oklahoma town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Watonga has more expected damage per building than 94% of Oklahoma towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Watonga: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Watonga covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Watonga flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watonga, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
2007: 3 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims2007
20072026
3
paid claims since 2007
$72K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$24K
average claim
of all homes are insured
No community discount

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

Insurance rates: Blaine County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
8storm safe rooms built
Disasters

14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watonga

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

  1. 2020Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  2. 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$24K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  3. 2017Severe Winter Storm$9K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  4. 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$74K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  5. 2015Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$55K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  6. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Watonga for repairs
Show all 14
  1. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding483 households applied for aid$593K aid approved$195K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  2. 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes41 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
  3. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$964 to the City of Watonga for repairs
  4. 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  5. 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$2K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  6. 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$165K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  7. 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$10K to the City of Watonga for repairs
  8. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$11K to the City of Watonga for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in WatongaBlaine County only

Blaine 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.

Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Blaine County, 2012–2012.

Were you here?

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

Add to the Watonga archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Watonga faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
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 Watonga

Is Watonga at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watonga has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #123 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is hail (31%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Watonga flood?

Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Watonga since 2007, $72K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Is Watonga 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 Blaine County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.

How much is flood insurance in Watonga?

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

By FEMA money that reached Watonga, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 483 households applied for aid, $593K approved, and $195K to the City of Watonga for repairs.

Is Watonga at risk from hail?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (31%), and Watonga’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watonga.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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