Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Alexandria’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexandria gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #10 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1,224 claims here since 1978.
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 Alexandria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alexandria 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
Hurricanes
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 Alexandria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alexandria, and Alexandria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 27% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #10 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alexandria’s residents live in 20 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, Alexandria has less expected damage per building than 94% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Alexandria: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alexandria flood? Yes: 1,224 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alexandria, from FEMA’s records: 58.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav302 claims · $11.2M
- Hurricane Delta87 claims · $3.3M
- Hurricane Lili15 claims · $163K
Alexandria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rapides Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alexandria
Disasters that paid out in Alexandria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alexandria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms321 households applied for aid$205K aid approved$285K to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta2,077 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$808K to the City of Alexandria for repairs87 flood claims paid for it, $3.3M
- 2020Hurricane Laura31,920 households applied for aid$5.5M aid approved$7.2M to the City of Alexandria for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding200 households applied for aid$90K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$248K to the City of Alexandria for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $65K
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Ike2 households applied for aid$12K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav5,270 households applied for aid$7.3M aid approved$2.5M to the City of Alexandria for repairs302 flood claims paid for it, $11.2M
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$719K to the City of Alexandria for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$249K to the City of Alexandria for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $163K
Rapides Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Rapides Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Alexandria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alexandria archive →Alexandria and its neighbors
Alexandria is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 193 |
| Alexandria | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,224 |
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 Alexandria 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.
- 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.
- 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 Alexandria
Is Alexandria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alexandria has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alexandria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,224 claims in Alexandria since 1978, $27.5M in all, or 58.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 197 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (302).
Is Alexandria 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 Rapides Parish, 5.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Alexandria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alexandria’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 Alexandria?
By FEMA money that reached Alexandria, Hurricane Laura (2020): 31,920 households applied for aid, $5.5M approved, and $7.2M to the City of Alexandria for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 302 paid, $11.2M.
Is Alexandria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Alexandria’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alexandria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alexandria’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.