Old Seminary Building · Photo: Jcherepy · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lawrenceville than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrenceville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #53 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1995.
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 Lawrenceville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lawrenceville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Lawrenceville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrenceville, and Lawrenceville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #53 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrenceville’s residents live in 18 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrenceville has less expected damage per building than 80% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Lawrenceville: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrenceville flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrenceville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms4 claims · $173K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $3K
Lawrenceville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gwinnett County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawrenceville
Disasters that paid out in Lawrenceville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lawrenceville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma$232K to the City of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding1,374 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved$12K to the City of Lawrenceville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$10K to the City of Lawrenceville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$167K to the City of Lawrenceville for repairs
Gwinnett County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lawrenceville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrenceville archive →Get ready for what Lawrenceville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lawrenceville
Is Lawrenceville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrenceville has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #53 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrenceville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Lawrenceville since 1995, $222K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (4).
Is Lawrenceville 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 Gwinnett County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrenceville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrenceville’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lawrenceville?
By FEMA money that reached Lawrenceville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 1,374 households applied for aid, $4.5M approved, and $12K to the City of Lawrenceville for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 4 paid, $173K.
Is Lawrenceville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Lawrenceville’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrenceville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrenceville’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.