Photo: David Keddie · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lawrence Township faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #334 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 161 claims here since 1978.
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 Lawrence Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lawrence Township 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
Hurricanes
Strong wind
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 Lawrence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrence Township, and Lawrence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #334 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrence Township’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrence Township has more expected damage per building than 71% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.9M a year in losses across Lawrence Township: $13.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrence Township flood? Yes: 161 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrence Township, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene41 claims · $3.7M
- Hurricane Ida27 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Floyd17 claims · $696K
Lawrence Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawrence Township
Disasters that paid out in Lawrence Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lawrence Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved27 flood claims paid for it, $3.1M
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved41 flood claims paid for it, $3.7M
Mercer County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Lawrence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrence Township archive →Lawrence Township and its neighbors
Lawrence Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Hopewell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| Ewing Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 375 |
| West Windsor Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Trenton | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 830 |
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 Lawrence Township 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Lawrence Township
Is Lawrence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrence Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #334 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 161 claims in Lawrence Township since 1978, $8.9M in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (41).
Is Lawrence Township 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 Mercer County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrence Township’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 Lawrence Township?
By FEMA money that reached Lawrence Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 8 households applied for aid, $13K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 41 paid, $3.7M.
Is Lawrence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Lawrence Township’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrence Township’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.