Federal records document 155 natural disaster events in the Poteau, OK area (ZIP 74953). These include 100 hailstorms, 20 tornadoes, and 17 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $19.6M. These events have resulted in 8 recorded deaths and 17 injuries.
With 100 recorded incidents (65% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Hail-related events have caused a combined $3.2M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 2, 2025.
There have been 20 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 13% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $4.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 19, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 11% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $88K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on May 25, 2015.
There have been 14 recorded floods in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Of these, 8 (57%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $11.2M in documented property damage. 7 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Sep 1, 2020.
Poteau has experienced 2 blizzards on record. Of these, 2 (100%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $775K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 24, 2023.
Poteau has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Aug 2, 2007.
The most significant disaster event on record for Poteau was Flash Flood on May 30, 2013, which caused $9.2M in property damage and was linked to 5 fatalities. Another major event was 1.8" Hail (Jan 21, 1999), causing $2.6M in damages. EF3 Tornado on Apr 7, 1980 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 74953 has experienced 155 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (100 events), tornadoes (20 events), severe wind events (17 events), floods (14 events), blizzards (2 events), extreme heat event (1 event), and wildfire (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 65% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Poteau, OK, with 100 events documented. These events have caused a combined $3.2M in property damage.
Yes, Poteau (ZIP 74953) has 14 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $11.2M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Sep 1, 2020.
Poteau has 20 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $4.3M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 19, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 74953 was Flash Flood, which occurred on May 30, 2013. This event caused $9.2M in documented property damage. It resulted in 5 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $19.6M in property damage in the Poteau, OK area (ZIP 74953). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →