Photo: Roastedbeanz1 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Laurie than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurie gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Laurie 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 Laurie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurie, and Laurie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurie’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Laurie: $951K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurie flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Laurie. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Laurie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurie
Disasters that paid out in Laurie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Laurie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$914 aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$3K to the City of Laurie for repairs
Morgan County has had 22 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 Laurie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurie archive →Get ready for what Laurie 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 Laurie
Is Laurie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurie has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Laurie 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 Morgan County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurie’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 Laurie?
By FEMA money that reached Laurie, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $3K to the City of Laurie for repairs.
Is Laurie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Laurie’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurie’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.