Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Lawrence’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #277 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 262 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’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
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 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrence, and Lawrence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
D #277 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence’s residents live in 18 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrence has more expected damage per building than 98% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.3M a year in losses across Lawrence: $21.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrence flood? Yes: 262 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter19 claims · $565K
- The April 2007 nor’easter13 claims · $2.2M
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $133K
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: Essex County.13 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.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$360K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$339K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$240K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$4K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$142K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding89 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$131K to the City of Lawrence for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$114K to the City of Lawrence for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding556 households applied for aid$724K aid approved$525K to the City of Lawrence for repairs126 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$168K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2004Flooding13 households applied for aid$16K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$139K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2003Snow$110K to the City of Lawrence for repairs
- 2001Snow$145K to the City of Lawrence for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Essex County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Andover | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Methuen | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Andover | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
| Lawrence | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 262 |
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.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #277 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 262 claims in Lawrence since 1978, $12.1M in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (19).
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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% 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 Storms and Flooding (2006): 556 households applied for aid, $724K approved, and $525K to the City of Lawrence for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 19 paid, $565K.
Is Lawrence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Lawrence’s rate for it is in the top 7% 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.