Bartlesville, Oklahoma: natural disaster risk
How exposed Bartlesville is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Washington County.
Bartlesville is a city of 37,878 people in Washington County, Oklahoma. Parts of Bartlesville also reach into Osage County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County relatively low for natural hazards overall, lower than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and cold wave, with about $31.8 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 632 storm reports in the county since 1953, including 35 tornadoes and 46 floods. About 0.9% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Washington County, the county with most of the population Bartlesville sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Bartlesville
Full Washington County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $14M | |
| Tornado | $8M | |
| Cold wave | $3M | |
| Heat wave | $3M | |
| Ice storm | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $537K | |
| Drought | $379K | |
| Wildfire | $315K | |
| Earthquake | $311K | |
| Hail | $245K | |
| Lightning | $229K | |
| Winter weather | $123K |
Homes in Bartlesville
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Washington County
Other cities in Oklahoma
All ›Common questions about Bartlesville
Is Bartlesville safe from natural disasters?
Bartlesville is in Washington County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively low overall, lower than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, cold wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Bartlesville?
By expected yearly losses in Washington County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Moderate), tornado (High), cold wave (Moderate). Washington County has been part of 32 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Bartlesville get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 35 tornadoes in Washington County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on March 18, 1979. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Bartlesville?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Washington County, about 0.9% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.