Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Woodward’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodward gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #24 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (10%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Woodward’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Woodward 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
Hail
Ice storms
Wildfire
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 Woodward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodward, and Woodward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #24 of 131 in Oklahoma; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodward’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, Woodward has less expected damage per building than 82% of Oklahoma towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Woodward: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodward flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodward, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Woodward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodward County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodward
Disasters that paid out in Woodward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woodward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm$399K to the City of Woodward for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Woodward for repairs
- 2009Record Snow and Near Record Snow$21K to the City of Woodward for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Woodward for repairs
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat$9K to the City of Woodward for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$5K to the City of Woodward for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Woodward County has had 19 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Woodward County, 2008–2026.
Old photos of Woodward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodward archive →Get ready for what Woodward 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Woodward
Is Woodward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodward has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #24 of 131 in Oklahoma. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Woodward since 1982, $213K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Woodward 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 Woodward 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 Woodward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodward’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 Woodward?
By FEMA money that reached Woodward, Severe Winter Storm (2017): $399K to the City of Woodward for repairs.
Is Woodward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Woodward’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodward’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.