Less hazard damage per building is expected in Luck than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luck gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 stands out about Luck’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Luck 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
Strong wind
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 Luck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Luck, and Luck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Luck’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $564K a year in losses across Luck: $300K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Luck flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Luck. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Luck isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Luck
Disasters that paid out in Luck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Luck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$35K to the Village of Luck for repairs
Polk County has had 7 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 Luck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Luck archive →Luck and its neighbors
Luck is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Luck 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Luck
Is Luck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luck has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Luck 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 Polk County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Luck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Luck’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 Luck?
By FEMA money that reached Luck, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $35K to the Village of Luck for repairs.
Is Luck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Luck’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Luck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Luck’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.