Photo: Hoff1606 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Lowell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lowell gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #438 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 stands out about Lowell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lowell, and Lowell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #438 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lowell’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lowell has more expected damage per building than 62% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Lowell: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lowell flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lowell, from FEMA’s records: 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Kent County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lowell
Disasters that paid out in Lowell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lowell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$808 aid approved
- 2013Flooding$64K to the City of Lowell for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$770 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$2K to the City of Lowell for repairs
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$4K to the City of Lowell for repairs
Kent County has had 10 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 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 →Lowell and its neighbors
Lowell is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vergennes Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Lowell Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lowell | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
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 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 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #438 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lowell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Lowell since 1979, $259K in all, or 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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, Flooding (2013): $64K to the City of Lowell for repairs.
Is Lowell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Lowell’s rate for it is higher than 52% 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.