Photo: Shannon Beat · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lawrence faces less hazard damage per building than 64% 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 64% of U.S. towns, #32 of 151 in Kansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 65 claims here since 1981.
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’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Hail
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 67% 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. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #32 of 151 in Kansas; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence’s residents live in 23 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kansas town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrence has less expected damage per building than 79% of Kansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.0M a year in losses across Lawrence: $20.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrence flood? Sometimes: 65 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding6 claims · $53K
Lawrence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.8 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.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides$576K to the City of Lawrence for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$45K to the City of Lawrence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight Line Winds$220K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding$64K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$15K to the City of Lawrence for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding51 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$102K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
Douglas County has had 18 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 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 | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Wakarusa Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Kanwaka Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Eudora Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Grant Township | — | 321 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clinton Township | — | 507 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 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Lawrence residents get 10% off flood insurance.
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 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #32 of 151 in Kansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 65 claims in Lawrence since 1981, $545K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (6).
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 Douglas County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrence?
Lawrence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,landslides,and Mudslides (2019): $576K to the City of Lawrence for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 6 paid, $53K.
Is Lawrence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), 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.