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Seminole County, Oklahoma

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
39th of 77highest risk in Oklahoma
$13Mexpected losses a year
31federal declarations
1 in 500homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Seminole County, Oklahoma has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 57% of US counties. It ranks 39th of 77 counties in Oklahoma. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, tornadoes and hail. FEMA estimates about $13 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $569 per resident. Since 1970 it has been included in 31 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (23 major disasters). The most recent was in April 2024 (severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding). Only 27 homes here carry federal flood insurance. Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $1.1 million on 44 claims here, including $567,000 for floods in 2024.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Seminole County

$3.1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 2 years.
  • 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.

Tornado

Moderate
$2.6 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once a year.
  • 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.

Hail

High
$1.9 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 10 times a year.
  • Ask about the roof age and any impact-rated shingles.
  • Check your home policy for a separate wind and hail deductible.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingLow38.2
$3M
TornadoModerate78.7
$3M
HailHigh94.6
$2M
Heat waveModerate87.7
$2M
WildfireModerate91.1
$1M
Cold waveLow63.0
$1M
Ice stormHigh87.8
$520K
Strong windModerate56.8
$459K
DroughtModerate69.3
$348K
EarthquakeVery Low51.6
$207K
LightningLow48.8
$155K
Winter weatherModerate68.6
$85K
HurricaneVery Low33.9
$13K
LandslideVery Low61.8
$2K

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very high and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Seminole County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Severe Storm14
Severe Ice Storm8
Flood3
Tornado3
Fire2
Hurricane1

Most recent

Apr 30, 2024Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 29, 2022Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 24, 2021Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Feb 17, 2021Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 26, 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disaster
May 20, 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 2, 2011Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 24, 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
Mar 5, 2010Severe Winter StormMajor disaster
Feb 25, 2010Severe Winter StormMajor disaster
Show all 31
Jan 30, 2010Severe Winter StormEmergency
May 9, 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 18, 2007Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Dec 10, 2007Severe Winter StormsEmergency
Aug 31, 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and TornadoesMajor disaster
Aug 24, 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 7, 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and TornadoesMajor disaster
Jun 7, 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes and FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 1, 2007Severe Winter StormsMajor disaster
Jan 14, 2007Severe Winter Storms and FloodingEmergency
Jan 10, 2006Extreme Wildfire ThreatMajor disaster
Dec 28, 2005Hughes County Fire ComplexFire management
Sep 5, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
May 10, 2003Severe Storms and TornadoesMajor disaster
Jan 5, 2001Severe Winter Ice StormMajor disaster
Dec 28, 2000Severe Winter and Ice StormEmergency
Jun 26, 1995Tornadoes, Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
May 18, 1990Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 10, 1974Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 10, 1973Severe Storms & FloodingMajor disaster
Oct 14, 1970Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & FloodingMajor disaster

Oklahoma also had 43 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1954

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 508 storm reports in Seminole County since 1954, with 2 deaths and 63 injuries and about $17.8 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F4 tornado on May 17, 1981.

61tornadoes
271hail reports, largest 4.5 inches
148damaging thunderstorm winds
23floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
May 17, 1981F4–0 / 0
Sep 14, 1957F4–0 / 0
Feb 17, 1961F3–7 / 0
Nov 17, 1958F3–15 / 0
Jun 8, 1974F3–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Jun 9, 1995TornadoS Seminole$5M
Feb 17, 1961Tornado–$3M
Jun 8, 1974Tornado–$3M
May 17, 1981Tornado–$3M
Jul 2, 1995Thunderstorm WindKonawa$500K
Aug 26, 1999Thunderstorm WindKonawa$500K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 4, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1900, 0 hurricanes and 2 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Seminole County, 1 of them since 1950. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1900, with top winds near 45 mph about 64 miles away.

0hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
2tropical storms
1961most recent: Carla

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 10, 1900UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph64 mi
Sep 13, 1961CarlaTropical storm, 40 mph63 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 13, 1961CarlaTropical storm, 40 mph63 mi
Sep 10, 1900UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph64 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Seminole County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.2%of homes have federal flood insurance (27 policies)
14.2%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$1.1 millionpaid on 44 flood claims since 1978
2024costliest year, with $566,673 paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Seminole County

$99,500median home value (Oklahoma $199,800, US $332,700)
1976median year homes were built (Oklahoma 1980, US 1980)
56%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
14.1%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 10,838 housing units.

Compare in Oklahoma

All 77 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Oklahoma CountyHighInland flooding
Tulsa CountyHighInland flooding
Cleveland CountyModerateInland flooding
Canadian CountyModerateInland flooding
Comanche CountyModerateInland flooding
Rogers CountyLowInland flooding
Payne CountyModerateCold wave
Wagoner CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Pottawatomie CountyModerate42
Pontotoc CountyLow22
Hughes CountyVery Low25
Okfuskee CountyVery Low38

Common questions about Seminole County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Seminole County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Seminole County, about $3.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Tornado is second at $2.6 million.

How many federal disasters has Seminole County had?

Seminole County has been included in 31 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1970, including 23 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in April 2024.

Is Seminole County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 39th highest of 77 in Oklahoma. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Seminole County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 500 homes in Seminole County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Seminole County had?

NOAA records list 61 tornadoes in Seminole County since 1950. The strongest was an F4 tornado on May 17, 1981. The weather service has also logged 271 hail reports and 23 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Seminole County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 2 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Seminole County. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1900, with winds near 45 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.