Bank of Addis · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Addis than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Addis gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #27 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 2005.
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 Addis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Addis 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
Tornadoes
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 Addis’ grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Addis, and Addis’ rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts).
B #27 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Addis’ residents live in 2 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, Addis has less expected damage per building than 84% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Addis: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Addis flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Addis, from FEMA’s records: 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms9 claims · $794K
- Hurricane Gustav1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $42K
Addis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: West Baton Rouge Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Addis
Disasters that paid out in Addis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Addis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida817 households applied for aid$416K aid approved$16K to the Town of Addis for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$4K to the Town of Addis for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta$77K to the Town of Addis for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$66K to the Town of Addis for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$88K to the Town of Addis for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac26 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$55K to the Town of Addis for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav467 households applied for aid$413K aid approved$137K to the Town of Addis for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2005Hurricane Rita71 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina235 households applied for aid$142K aid approved$42K to the Town of Addis for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $42K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$6K to the Town of Addis for repairs
West Baton Rouge Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Addis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Addis archive →Get ready for what Addis 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.
- 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.
- 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 Addis
Is Addis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Addis has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #27 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Addis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Addis since 2005, $3.6M in all, or 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms (9).
Is Addis 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 West Baton Rouge Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Addis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Addis’ 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 Addis?
By FEMA money that reached Addis, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 467 households applied for aid, $413K approved, and $137K to the Town of Addis for repairs. By flood claims, 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms: 9 paid, $794K.
Is Addis at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Addis’ rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Addis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Addis’ 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.