Photo: Taber Andrew Bain · CC BY 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Lawrenceville yet. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
What Lawrenceville 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
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 Lawrenceville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lawrenceville, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $12K
Lawrenceville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawrenceville
Disasters that paid out in Lawrenceville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lawrenceville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$87K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$217K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$359K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$113K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$49K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel122 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$14K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$838 to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs
Brunswick County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lawrenceville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawrenceville archive →Get ready for what Lawrenceville 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.
- 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 Lawrenceville
Does Lawrenceville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lawrenceville since 1978, $21K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Lawrenceville 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 Brunswick County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawrenceville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawrenceville’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 Lawrenceville?
By FEMA money that reached Lawrenceville, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $359K to the Town of Lawrenceville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $12K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawrenceville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawrenceville’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.