Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lowell than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lowell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #128 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Lowell 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
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 Lowell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lowell, and Lowell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #128 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lowell’s residents live in 3 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, Lowell has less expected damage per building than 79% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Lowell: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lowell flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lowell, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $61K
Lowell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lowell
Disasters that paid out in Lowell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lowell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$134K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$16K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Lowell for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding44 households applied for aid$76K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$9K to the Town of Lowell for repairs
Lake County has had 20 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 Lowell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lowell archive →Get ready for what Lowell 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.
- 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 Lowell
Is Lowell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lowell has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #128 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lowell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Lowell since 1978, $72K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Lowell 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 Lake County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lowell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lowell’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 Lowell?
By FEMA money that reached Lowell, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 98 households applied for aid, $134K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $61K.
Is Lowell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Lowell’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lowell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lowell’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.