More hazard damage per building is expected in Lucas than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lucas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #456 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (32%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1991.
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 Lucas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lucas 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.
What’s behind Lucas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lucas, and Lucas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #456 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lucas’ residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lucas has more expected damage per building than 71% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Lucas: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lucas flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lucas, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms2 claims · $26K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $135K
Lucas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Collin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lucas
Disasters that paid out in Lucas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lucas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms20 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Collin County has had 14 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.
Old photos of Lucas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lucas archive →Lucas and its neighbors
Lucas is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seis Lagos | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wylie | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fairview | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Allen | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lucas | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Parker | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Lucas 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 Lucas
Is Lucas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lucas has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #456 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lucas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Lucas since 1991, $591K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (2).
Is Lucas 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 Collin County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lucas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lucas’ 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 Lucas?
By FEMA money that reached Lucas, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 20 households applied for aid, $34K approved. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 2 paid, $26K.
Is Lucas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Lucas’ rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lucas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lucas’ 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.