Photo: ONUnicorn · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lawrence Township than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #178 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 Lawrence Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
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 Lawrence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrence Township, and Lawrence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #178 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence Township’s residents live in 27 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrence Township has less expected damage per building than 70% of Indiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Lawrence Township has lower expected damage per building than 85% (#60 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $30.2M, is the 356th largest of those 400.
Does Lawrence Township flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $872
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $13K
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: Marion County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lawrence Township
Disasters that paid out in Lawrence Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lawrence Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$3K to Lawrence Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Marion County has had 16 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 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 5th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| McCordsville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Lawrence | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lawrence Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Delaware Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Buck Creek Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fishers | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Indianapolis | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,638 |
| Washington Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 903 |
| Fall Creek Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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.
- 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 Lawrence Township
Is Lawrence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #178 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Lawrence Township since 1978, $872K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
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 Marion County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% 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 FEMA money that reached Lawrence Township, In-winter Storm 12/23/98 (1999): $3K to Lawrence Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $872.
Is Lawrence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Lawrence Township’s rate for it is lower than 55% 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.