Photo: Wonder al · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lowell than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lowell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Lowell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lowell, and Lowell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lowell’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $498K a year in losses across Lowell: $276K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lowell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lowell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Dodge County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lowell
Disasters that paid out in Lowell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lowell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of Lowell for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$18K to the Town of Lowell for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Lowell for repairs
Dodge County has had 10 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 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 →Lowell and its neighbors
Lowell is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Grove | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Beaver Dam | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Emmet | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Calamus | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lowell | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Elba | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Portland | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shields | — | 547 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clyman | — | 725 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Is Lowell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lowell has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Dodge County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% 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, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $18K to the Town of Lowell for repairs.
Is Lowell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Lowell’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
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.