Photo: TheLionHasSeen · CC BY-SA 4.0Bossier City’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bossier City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #25 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 283 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 Bossier City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bossier City 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
Ice storms
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 Bossier City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bossier City, and Bossier City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B #25 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bossier City’s residents live in 20 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, Bossier City has less expected damage per building than 85% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.4M a year in losses across Bossier City: $11.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bossier City flood? Yes: 283 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bossier City, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms44 claims · $750K
- The Spring storm2 claims · $250K
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $93K
Bossier City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bossier Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bossier City
Disasters that paid out in Bossier City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bossier City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$7K to the City of Bossier City for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms491 households applied for aid$307K aid approved$395K to the City of Bossier City for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$42K to the City of Bossier City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding719 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$314K to the City of Bossier City for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$1.7M to the City of Bossier City for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$3K to the City of Bossier City for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$671K to the City of Bossier City for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$316K to the City of Bossier City for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$42K to the City of Bossier City for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$523K to the City of Bossier City for repairs
Bossier Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Bossier City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bossier City archive →Bossier City and its neighbors
Bossier City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bossier City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Shreveport | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,556 |
| Red Chute | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Bossier City 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Bossier City residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bossier City
Is Bossier City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bossier City has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #25 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bossier City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 283 claims in Bossier City since 1978, $4.5M in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (44).
Is Bossier City 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 Bossier Parish, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bossier City?
Bossier City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bossier City?
By FEMA money that reached Bossier City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2015): $1.7M to the City of Bossier City for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 44 paid, $750K.
Is Bossier City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Bossier City’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bossier City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bossier City’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.