Southdown Plantation · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bayou Cane than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayou Cane gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #148 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 585 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 Bayou Cane’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bayou Cane 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 Bayou Cane’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bayou Cane, and Bayou Cane’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #148 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bayou Cane’s residents live in 7 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, Bayou Cane has more expected damage per building than 91% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.3M a year in losses across Bayou Cane: $16.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bayou Cane flood? Yes: 585 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bayou Cane, from FEMA’s records: 63.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS61 claims · $3.2M
- Tropical Storm Isidore53 claims · $629K
- Hurricane Andrew24 claims · $379K
Bayou Cane isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Terrebonne Parish.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bayou Cane
Disasters that paid out in Bayou Cane itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bayou Cane), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $199K
Terrebonne Parish has had 38 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Bayou Cane after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bayou Cane archive →Get ready for what Bayou Cane 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 Bayou Cane
Is Bayou Cane at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayou Cane has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #148 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bayou Cane flood?
Flood insurance has paid 585 claims in Bayou Cane since 1978, $12.6M in all, or 63.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (61).
Is Bayou Cane 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 Terrebonne Parish, 32.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bayou Cane?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bayou Cane’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 Bayou Cane?
By FEMA money that reached Bayou Cane, Hurricane Ida (2021): 4 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 61 paid, $3.2M.
Is Bayou Cane at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Bayou Cane’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bayou Cane.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bayou Cane’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.