Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Lewisport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Lewisport 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 Lewisport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewisport, and Lewisport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lewisport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Lewisport: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewisport flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewisport, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $7K
Lewisport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewisport
Disasters that paid out in Lewisport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewisport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K to the City of Lewisport for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$46K to the City of Lewisport for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$7K to the City of Lewisport for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$4K to the City of Lewisport for repairs
Hancock County has had 19 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 Lewisport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewisport archive →Get ready for what Lewisport 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 Lewisport
Is Lewisport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisport has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewisport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Lewisport since 1997, $37K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Lewisport 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 Hancock County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lewisport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lewisport’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 Lewisport?
By FEMA money that reached Lewisport, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2009): $46K to the City of Lewisport for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Lewisport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Lewisport’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewisport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewisport’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.