Robert "Bob" Hicks House · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bogalusa than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogalusa gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #105 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 134 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 Bogalusa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bogalusa 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 Bogalusa’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bogalusa, and Bogalusa’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #105 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bogalusa’s residents live in 6 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, Bogalusa has more expected damage per building than 65% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Bogalusa: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bogalusa flood? Yes: 134 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bogalusa, from FEMA’s records: 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms42 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Katrina16 claims · $659K
- Tropical Storm Allison5 claims · $103K
Bogalusa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bogalusa
Disasters that paid out in Bogalusa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bogalusa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida4,562 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved$842K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding88 households applied for aid$135K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,596 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$505K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,141 households applied for aid$627K aid approved$114K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $88K
- 2008Hurricane Ike1 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav608 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$107K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina11,054 households applied for aid$21.9M aid approved$4.5M to the City of Bogalusa for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $659K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$30K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$23K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$87K to the City of Bogalusa for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $103K
Washington Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Bogalusa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bogalusa archive →Get ready for what Bogalusa 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 Bogalusa
Is Bogalusa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogalusa has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #105 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bogalusa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 134 claims in Bogalusa since 1979, $5.2M in all, or 25.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (42).
Is Bogalusa 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 Washington Parish, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bogalusa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bogalusa’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 Bogalusa?
By FEMA money that reached Bogalusa, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 11,054 households applied for aid, $21.9M approved, and $4.5M to the City of Bogalusa for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 42 paid, $3.1M.
Is Bogalusa at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Bogalusa’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bogalusa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bogalusa’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.