Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Lovelady
Lovelady isn’t graded for hazard risk: Lovelady has 490 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2015.
What Lovelady 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
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Lovelady flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lovelady, from FEMA’s records.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $5K
Lovelady isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lovelady
Disasters that paid out in Lovelady itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lovelady), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms39 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike144 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$4K to the City of Lovelady for repairs
Houston County has had 23 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 Lovelady after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lovelady archive →Get ready for what Lovelady 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Lovelady
Does Lovelady flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lovelady since 2015, $37K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Lovelady 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 Houston County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lovelady?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lovelady’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 Lovelady?
By FEMA money that reached Lovelady, Hurricane Ike (2008): 144 households applied for aid, $37K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lovelady.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lovelady’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.