Every federal disaster in Lawrence since 1955

Each square is a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or FEMA that covered Douglas County. Declarations make federal aid available after hurricanes, floods, storms, fires and other events, so this is a record of the big ones.

Declarations: 28since 1955
Major disasters: 21the most serious kind
Since 2000: 16declarations
Most recent: 2020COVID-19 Pandemic

Severe storms and tornadoes (16)Floods (5)Biological (COVID-19) (5)Winter storms (1)Hurricanes and tropical storms (1)

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Douglas County's overall natural hazard risk relatively low, led by winter weather, tornado and strong wind. The history above shows what has actually happened; the risk index estimates what is likely.

All declarations

Declared	Event	Type	FEMA number
Mar 29, 2020	COVID-19 Pandemic	Major disaster	DR-4504
Mar 13, 2020	COVID-19	Emergency	EM-3491
Mar 13, 2020	COVID-19	Emergency	EM-3492
Mar 13, 2020	COVID-19	Emergency	EM-3490
Mar 13, 2020	COVID-19	Emergency	EM-3481
Jun 20, 2019	Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides	Major disaster	DR-4449
May 28, 2019	Tornadoes and Flooding	Emergency	EM-3412
Mar 9, 2010	Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm	Major disaster	DR-1885
Dec 12, 2007	Severe Winter Storms	Emergency	EM-3282
May 6, 2007	Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding	Major disaster	DR-1699
Apr 13, 2006	Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight Line Winds	Major disaster	DR-1638
Sep 10, 2005	Hurricane Katrina Evacuation	Emergency	EM-3236
Feb 8, 2005	Severe Winter Storms, Heavy Rains, and Flooding	Major disaster	DR-1579
Sep 30, 2004	Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes	Major disaster	DR-1562
May 6, 2003	Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding	Major disaster	DR-1462
Feb 6, 2002	Severe Winter Ice Storm	Major disaster	DR-1402
Nov 5, 1998	Ks-Flooding 10/31/98	Major disaster	DR-1258
Oct 14, 1998	Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes	Major disaster	DR-1254
Jul 22, 1993	Severe Storms & Flooding	Major disaster	DR-1000
Jun 28, 1982	Severe Storms and Flooding	Major disaster	DR-663
Jul 18, 1981	Severe Storms, Flooding & Tornadoes	Major disaster	DR-644
Sep 28, 1973	Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding	Major disaster	DR-403
May 2, 1973	Severe Storms & Flooding	Major disaster	DR-378
Jul 15, 1969	Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding	Major disaster	DR-267
Jul 18, 1967	Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding	Major disaster	DR-229
Nov 6, 1958	Floods	Major disaster	DR-88
Sep 5, 1957	Floods	Major disaster	DR-81
May 27, 1955	Tornado	Major disaster	DR-34

Frequently asked questions

How many federal disasters has Lawrence had?

Since 1955, the federal government has issued 28 disaster or emergency declarations covering Douglas County, including 21 major disaster declarations. 16 of them came in 2000 or later.

What was the most recent federal disaster in Lawrence?

COVID-19 Pandemic (Major disaster, declared March 29, 2020).

What kinds of disasters hit Lawrence most often?

By FEMA incident type: severe storm (13), flood (5), biological (5) and tornado (3).

New to Lawrence? The city profile covers flood maps and emergency alerts, and the risk summary shows FEMA's hazard ratings.

Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), downloaded October 18, 2026. We list declarations that named Douglas County, plus early statewide declarations from before FEMA designated individual counties. "Major disaster" declarations bring the widest federal aid; "emergency" declarations cover shorter-term help; "fire management" declarations help pay to fight large wildfires.