FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lawrence Township than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #747 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Lawrence Township 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
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 Lawrence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrence Township, and Lawrence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #747 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrence Township has more expected damage per building than 97% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Lawrence Township: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrence Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $27K
Lawrence Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.The storms Lawrence Township remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Lawrence County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Lawrence Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20023 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Lawrence County
- 20082 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Lawrence County
- 20112 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Lawrence County
Lawrence County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lawrence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrence Township archive →Lawrence Township and its neighbors
Lawrence Township is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bridgeport Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Denison Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lawrence Township | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Allison Township | — | 502 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bond Township | — | 512 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 Lawrence Township 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.
- 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 Lawrence Township
Is Lawrence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #747 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Lawrence Township since 1995, $138K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Lawrence Township 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 Lawrence County, 2% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrence Township’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 Lawrence Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Lawrence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Lawrence Township’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrence Township’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.