Morehouse Parish Courthouse · Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY 3.0For ice storms, Bastrop’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bastrop gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #24 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 Bastrop’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bastrop 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Bastrop’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bastrop, and Bastrop’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #24 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bastrop’s residents live in 5 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, Bastrop has less expected damage per building than 86% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Bastrop: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bastrop flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bastrop, from FEMA’s records: 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms11 claims · $357K
- Hurricane Gustav7 claims · $105K
Bastrop isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morehouse Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bastrop
Disasters that paid out in Bastrop itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bastrop), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$32K to the City of Bastrop for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura987 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$327K to the City of Bastrop for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,654 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$86K to the City of Bastrop for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac41 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$15K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav379 households applied for aid$718K aid approved$161K to the City of Bastrop for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $105K
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$2K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$93K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$32K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
Morehouse Parish has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Bastrop after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bastrop archive →Get ready for what Bastrop 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Bastrop
Is Bastrop at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bastrop has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #24 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bastrop flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Bastrop since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (11).
Is Bastrop 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 Morehouse Parish, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bastrop?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bastrop’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 Bastrop?
By FEMA money that reached Bastrop, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,654 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $86K to the City of Bastrop for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 11 paid, $357K.
Is Bastrop at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Bastrop’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bastrop.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bastrop’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.