Photo: Spatms · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Baton Rouge as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baton Rouge gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #42 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 5,396 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 Baton Rouge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baton Rouge, and Baton Rouge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 42% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #42 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baton Rouge’s residents live in 74 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, Baton Rouge has less expected damage per building than 75% of Louisiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Baton Rouge has lower expected damage per building than 55% (#180 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $119M, is the 90th largest of those 400.
Does Baton Rouge flood? Yes: 5,396 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baton Rouge, from FEMA’s records: 50.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms3,315 claims · $320M
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms292 claims · $20.0M
- Tropical Storm Allison164 claims · $2.7M
Baton Rouge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: East Baton Rouge Parish.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baton Rouge
Disasters that paid out in Baton Rouge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baton Rouge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida79,627 households applied for aid$49.2M aid approved$4.4M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,738 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved$268K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms737 households applied for aid$388K aid approved$243K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta3 households applied for aid$636K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally$21K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura20 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$573K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
Show all 17
- 2019Hurricane Barry$1.6M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs63 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding50,045 households applied for aid$308M aid approved$15.2M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs3,333 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac4,891 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding$383K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav47,989 households applied for aid$17.4M aid approved$23.3M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs37 flood claims paid for it, $404K
- 2005Hurricane Rita24 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$324K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs33 flood claims paid for it, $505K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina43,521 households applied for aid$31.3M aid approved$12.4M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $690K
- 2002Hurricane Lili$379K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$70K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$843K to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs164 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
East Baton Rouge Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Baton Rouge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baton Rouge archive →Baton Rouge and its neighbors
Baton Rouge is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Allen | Bless damage than 61% | hurricanes | 28 |
| St. George | B−less damage than 51% | hurricanes | 2,140 |
| Gardere | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Baton Rouge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5,396 |
| Brownfields | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Merrydale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 790 |
| Monticello | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Is Baton Rouge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baton Rouge has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #42 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baton Rouge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,396 claims in Baton Rouge since 1978, $364M in all, or 50.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (3,315).
Is Baton Rouge 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 East Baton Rouge Parish, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Baton Rouge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baton Rouge’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 Baton Rouge?
By FEMA money that reached Baton Rouge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 50,045 households applied for aid, $308M approved, and $15.2M to the City of Baton Rouge for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 3,315 paid, $320M.
Is Baton Rouge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Baton Rouge’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baton Rouge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baton Rouge’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.