Natural Disaster Risk in Ponca City
Oklahoma
Risk Summary for Ponca City
Ponca City scores 7.1/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Ponca City, Oklahoma
Ponca City, in Kay County, is a city of approximately 18,916 residents situated in the interior eastern United States. Its semi-arid climate brings hot summers, variable winters, and exposure at the center of Tornado Alley, and in particular a globally significant tornado season that peaks in spring. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Ponca City residents and property owners must navigate.
Ponca City's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Cold wave events are the primary hazard risk, driven by periodic invasions of Arctic air that drive wind chills to life-threatening levels and stress heating systems. Secondary hazards include ice storm and hail.
Within Oklahoma, Ponca City's risk is, slightly above the 6.4/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Kay County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by ice storm and hail. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Ponca City residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Ponca City: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for Ponca City
These city-level factors differentiate Ponca City from other communities in Kay County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
18,916
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 36.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.0/10
Coordinates
36.7044° N, 97.1460° W
Kay County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Ponca City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Ponca City
Other cities in Oklahoma
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.