Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Arcadia than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #19 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then ice storms (24%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1979.
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 Arcadia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arcadia 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
Ice storms
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Arcadia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arcadia, and Arcadia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #19 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Arcadia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arcadia has less expected damage per building than 89% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Arcadia: $674K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arcadia flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arcadia, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Juan2 claims · $27K
Arcadia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bienville Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arcadia
Disasters that paid out in Arcadia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Arcadia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura12 households applied for aid$449 aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding54 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike$35K to the Town of Arcadia for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$64K to the Town of Arcadia for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$9K to the Town of Arcadia for repairs
Bienville Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Arcadia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arcadia archive →Get ready for what Arcadia 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Arcadia
Is Arcadia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcadia has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #19 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and ice storms (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arcadia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Arcadia since 1979, $182K in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Juan (2).
Is Arcadia 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 Bienville Parish, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arcadia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arcadia’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 Arcadia?
By FEMA money that reached Arcadia, Hurricane Gustav (2008): $64K to the Town of Arcadia for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Juan: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Arcadia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Arcadia’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arcadia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arcadia’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.