Photo: Alicia Lee · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Amite City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amite City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #99 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1980.
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 Amite City 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 Amite City’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amite City, and Amite City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D #99 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amite City’s 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, Amite City has more expected damage per building than 61% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Amite City: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amite City flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amite City, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida15 claims · $936K
- The Mid-summer severe storms11 claims · $706K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $16K
Amite City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tangipahoa Parish.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amite City
Disasters that paid out in Amite City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Amite City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida31 households applied for aid$51K aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $936K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
Tangipahoa Parish has had 36 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Amite City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amite City archive →Get ready for what Amite City 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 Amite City
Is Amite City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amite City has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #99 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 Amite City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Amite City since 1980, $1.8M in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (15).
Is Amite City 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 Tangipahoa Parish, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Amite City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amite City’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 Amite City?
By FEMA money that reached Amite City, Hurricane Ida (2021): 31 households applied for aid, $51K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 15 paid, $936K.
Is Amite City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Amite City’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amite City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amite City’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.