Stone House · Photo: Xnatedawgx · CC BY-SA 3.0For hail, Lakewood’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #70 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (42%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 93 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Lakewood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakewood faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Lakewood’s grade
Hail is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakewood, and Lakewood’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #70 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakewood’s residents live in 48 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lakewood has less expected damage per building than 56% of Colorado towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lakewood has lower expected damage per building than 57% (#173 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $41.1M, is the 289th largest of those 400.
Does Lakewood flood? Sometimes: 93 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakewood, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $4K
Lakewood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakewood
Disasters that paid out in Lakewood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lakewood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides40 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$137K to the City of Lakewood for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$97K to the City of Lakewood for repairs
- 2003Snow$152K to the City of Lakewood for repairs
Jefferson County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Lakewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakewood archive →Lakewood and its neighbors
Lakewood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | B−more damage than 53% | hail | 93 |
| Edgewater | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Dakota Ridge | C+more damage than 56% | hail | 1 |
| West Pleasant View | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Golden | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Denver | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Applewood | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wheat Ridge | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| East Pleasant View | — | 832 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Morrison | — | 412 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Lakewood faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Lakewood residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lakewood
Is Lakewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #70 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (42%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 93 claims in Lakewood since 1978, $701K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Lakewood in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Jefferson County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lakewood?
Lakewood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lakewood?
By FEMA money that reached Lakewood, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 40 households applied for aid, $39K approved, and $137K to the City of Lakewood for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $4K.
Is Lakewood at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Lakewood’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakewood’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.