Lodgepole Opera House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Storms, floods and disasters in Lodgepole
Lodgepole isn’t graded for hazard risk: Lodgepole has 223 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2010.
What Lodgepole 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
Hail
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.
Does Lodgepole flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lodgepole, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms1 claim · $7K
Lodgepole isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheyenne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lodgepole
Disasters that paid out in Lodgepole itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lodgepole), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Village of Lodgepole for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Cheyenne County has had 7 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 Lodgepole after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lodgepole archive →Get ready for what Lodgepole 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lodgepole
Does Lodgepole flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Lodgepole since 2010, $46K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (1).
Is Lodgepole 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 Cheyenne County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lodgepole?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lodgepole’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 Lodgepole?
By FEMA money that reached Lodgepole, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $17K to the Village of Lodgepole for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lodgepole.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lodgepole’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.