Photo: GreaterPonce665 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Abita Springs’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abita Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #142 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1983.
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 Abita Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Abita Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Abita Springs’ grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Abita Springs, and Abita Springs’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #142 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Abita Springs’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Abita Springs has more expected damage per building than 88% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Abita Springs: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Abita Springs flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Abita Springs, from FEMA’s records: 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Juan15 claims · $188K
- Tropical Storm Allison10 claims · $243K
- Hurricane Isaac3 claims · $23K
Abita Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Tammany Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Abita Springs
Disasters that paid out in Abita Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Abita Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida2,183 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$735K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac368 households applied for aid$224K aid approved$84K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav512 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$220K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Rita80 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,233 households applied for aid$8.3M aid approved$4.9M to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$10K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$23K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$9K to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
St. Tammany Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Abita Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Abita Springs archive →Get ready for what Abita Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Abita Springs
Is Abita Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abita Springs has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #142 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Abita Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Abita Springs since 1983, $636K in all, or 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Juan (15).
Is Abita Springs 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 St. Tammany Parish, 40.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Abita Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Abita Springs’ 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 Abita Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Abita Springs, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 3,233 households applied for aid, $8.3M approved, and $4.9M to the Town of Abita Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Juan: 15 paid, $188K.
Is Abita Springs at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Abita Springs’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Abita Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Abita Springs’ 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.