FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lake Lotawana as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Lotawana gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #92 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1990.
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 Lake Lotawana 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 Lake Lotawana’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Lotawana, and Lake Lotawana’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #92 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Lotawana’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lake Lotawana has less expected damage per building than 63% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Lake Lotawana: $869K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Lotawana flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Lotawana, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lake Lotawana isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lake Lotawana
Disasters that paid out in Lake Lotawana itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lake Lotawana), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$39K to the City of Lake Lotawana for repairs
Jackson County has had 23 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 Lake Lotawana after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Lotawana archive →Lake Lotawana and its neighbors
Lake Lotawana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Jack | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Blue Springs | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Lee's Summit | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Lake Lotawana | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Lake Lotawana 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lake Lotawana
Is Lake Lotawana at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Lotawana has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #92 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Lotawana flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lake Lotawana since 1990, $41K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lake Lotawana 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 Jackson County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Lotawana?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Lotawana’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 Lake Lotawana?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Lotawana, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $39K to the City of Lake Lotawana for repairs.
Is Lake Lotawana at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Lake Lotawana’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Lotawana.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Lotawana’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.