FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Boutte than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boutte gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (40%), then coastal flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 242 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 Boutte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Boutte faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Boutte’s grade
Hurricanes are 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boutte, and Boutte’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 37%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boutte’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Boutte: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boutte flood? Yes: 242 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boutte, from FEMA’s records: 280.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina37 claims · $918K
- Tropical Storm Isidore14 claims · $86K
- Hurricane Ida13 claims · $655K
Boutte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Charles Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boutte
Disasters that paid out in Boutte itself (aid to households or repair grants to Boutte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine202 households applied for aid$346K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,227 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $655K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac410 households applied for aid$586K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $156K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav626 households applied for aid$235K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,323 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved37 flood claims paid for it, $918K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan32 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
St. Charles Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Boutte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boutte archive →Boutte and its neighbors
Boutte is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou Gauche | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Boutte | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 242 |
| Luling | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 220 |
| Paradis | — | 552 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Boutte 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Boutte
Is Boutte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boutte has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (40%) and coastal flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boutte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 242 claims in Boutte since 1979, $4.5M in all, or 280.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (37).
Is Boutte 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 St. Charles Parish, 55.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Boutte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boutte’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 Boutte?
By FEMA money that reached Boutte, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,227 households applied for aid, $4.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 37 paid, $918K.
Is Boutte at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Boutte’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boutte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boutte’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.