More hazard damage per building is expected in Basile than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Basile gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Basile 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
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 Basile’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Basile, and Basile’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 31%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Basile’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $910K a year in losses across Basile: $402K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Basile flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Basile, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Rita1 claim · $14K
Basile isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Evangeline Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Basile
Disasters that paid out in Basile itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Basile), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta30 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura59 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding43 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$37K to the Town of Basile for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav303 households applied for aid$154K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Basile for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita936 households applied for aid$657K aid approved$24K to the Town of Basile for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$7K to the Town of Basile for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$19K to the Town of Basile for repairs
Evangeline Parish has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Evangeline Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Basile after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Basile archive →Get ready for what Basile 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.
- 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 Basile
Is Basile at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Basile has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (31%). 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 Basile flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Basile since 1979, $82K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (1).
Is Basile 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 Evangeline Parish, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Basile?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Basile’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 Basile?
By FEMA money that reached Basile, Hurricane Rita (2005): 936 households applied for aid, $657K approved, and $24K to the Town of Basile for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Basile at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Basile’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Basile.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Basile’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.