Photo: ONUnicorn · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lawrence than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #175 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrence, and Lawrence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #175 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence’s residents live in 16 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 has less expected damage per building than 71% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.6M a year in losses across Lawrence: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrence flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lawrence 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawrence
Disasters that paid out in Lawrence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lawrence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$120K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$108K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2007Snow$75K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2004Snow$69K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes$49K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$90K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrence archive →Lawrence and its neighbors
Lawrence has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lawrence Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Buck Creek Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Indianapolis | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,638 |
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 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
Is Lawrence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #175 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lawrence since 1979, $23K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lawrence 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrence’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?
By FEMA money that reached Lawrence, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $120K to the City of Lawrence for repairs.
Is Lawrence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lawrence’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrence’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.