Watkins Mill · Photo: Watkins_Mill,_County_Highway_MM,_Lawson_vicinity_(Clay_County,_Missouri).jpg: Jet Lowe, Photographer derivative work: Kbh3rd · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Lawson than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawson gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #35 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Lawson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lawson 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 Lawson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawson, and Lawson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #35 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawson’s residents live in 2 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, Lawson has less expected damage per building than 86% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Lawson: $515K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawson, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lawson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawson
Disasters that paid out in Lawson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lawson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Lawson for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the City of Lawson for repairs
Clay 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 Lawson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawson archive →Get ready for what Lawson 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 Lawson
Is Lawson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawson has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #35 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lawson since 1998, $4K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lawson 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 Clay County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawson’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 Lawson?
By FEMA money that reached Lawson, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $5K to the City of Lawson for repairs.
Is Lawson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Lawson’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawson’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.