Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Lowell
Lowell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Lowell has 556 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1979.
What Lowell 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
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 Lowell flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lowell, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $36K
Lowell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lowell
Disasters that paid out in Lowell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lowell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$1K to the Village of Lowell for repairs
Washington County has had 16 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 Lowell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lowell archive →Get ready for what Lowell 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.
- 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 Lowell
Does Lowell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Lowell since 1979, $83K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is Lowell 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lowell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lowell’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 Lowell?
By FEMA money that reached Lowell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 25 households applied for aid, $51K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $36K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lowell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lowell’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.