Lucas, TX: what USGS's seismic model says

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Lucas is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts Lucas in the 34th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 34% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

How Lucas compares

USGS's underlying values for Lucas: 0.056g peak ground acceleration, 0.115g at short period, 0.058g at 1 second. Within Texas alone, Lucas ranks 52 of 384 cities by seismic hazard - the 87th percentile in-state. Lucas has a population of about 8,840.

Bracing and bolting: the actual cost

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Texas specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Texas.

What this means for insurance

A Lucas homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Lucas's figures come from

Lucas's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Lucas.