Ponca City, OK

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 24,234 · Part of Kay County

Ponca City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Kay County, OK. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, cold wave, and tornado.

Storm events near Ponca City

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ponca City's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ponca City itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 10 events
Hail 174 events
Inland Flooding 32 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Kay County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ponca City along with the rest of the county, not a Ponca City-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 88.5 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 69.8 Relatively Low
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 52.2 Very Low
Heat Wave 81.4 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 93.4 Relatively High
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 93.8 Relatively High
Drought 83.6 Relatively Moderate
Hail 92.7 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 24.6 Very Low
Ice Storm 93.9 Relatively High
Landslide 50.9 Very Low
Lightning 59 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 63.2 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 75.3 Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Kay County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Kay County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Ponca City, OK at risk of?

Ponca City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Kay County, where Ponca City is located, are ice storm, cold wave, and tornado.

What is Ponca City's biggest natural hazard risk?

Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Kay County, where Ponca City is located, scoring 93.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Ponca City a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — Ponca City carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Kay County.

Has Ponca City had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 174 hail, 32 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ponca City since 2016.