Photo: Christopher Hollis · Public domainLawrenceburg’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrenceburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #104 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Lawrenceburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lawrenceburg 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
Earthquakes
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 Lawrenceburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawrenceburg, and Lawrenceburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #104 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawrenceburg’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lawrenceburg has more expected damage per building than 59% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Lawrenceburg: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawrenceburg flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrenceburg, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains4 claims · $25K
Lawrenceburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawrenceburg
Disasters that paid out in Lawrenceburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lawrenceburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$12K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$32K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes56 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$22K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$613K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Severe Winter Storm$764 to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Lawrence County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lawrenceburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrenceburg archive →Get ready for what Lawrenceburg 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Lawrenceburg
Is Lawrenceburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawrenceburg has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #104 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lawrenceburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Lawrenceburg since 1998, $533K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (4).
Is Lawrenceburg 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 Lawrence County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrenceburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrenceburg’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 Lawrenceburg?
By FEMA money that reached Lawrenceburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 29 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $613K to the City of Lawrenceburg for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 4 paid, $25K.
Is Lawrenceburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lawrenceburg’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrenceburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrenceburg’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.