Administration Building · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wilburton than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilburton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then wildfire (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Wilburton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wilburton 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
Wildfire
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 Wilburton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilburton, and Wilburton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wilburton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Wilburton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilburton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wilburton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wilburton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Latimer County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilburton
Disasters that paid out in Wilburton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilburton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$54K to the City of Wilburton for repairs
Latimer 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.
Old photos of Wilburton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilburton archive →Get ready for what Wilburton 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Wilburton
Is Wilburton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilburton has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and wildfire (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wilburton 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 Latimer County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wilburton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilburton’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 Wilburton?
By FEMA money that reached Wilburton, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $54K to the City of Wilburton for repairs.
Is Wilburton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Wilburton’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilburton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilburton’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.