Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bridge City than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridge City gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #116 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (87%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 444 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 Bridge City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bridge City 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 Bridge City’s grade
Hurricanes are 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridge City, and Bridge City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 11% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #116 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridge City’s residents live in 2 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, Bridge City has more expected damage per building than 71% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Bridge City: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridge City flood? Yes: 444 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridge City, from FEMA’s records: 139.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina48 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Isaac8 claims · $51K
- Tropical Storm Barry7 claims · $310K
Bridge City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridge City
Disasters that paid out in Bridge City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bridge City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine42 households applied for aid$92K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida819 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $96K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta15 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac383 households applied for aid$220K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $51K
- 2008Hurricane Ike17 households applied for aid$836 aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav628 households applied for aid$127K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $42K
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$246 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita136 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,145 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved48 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Bridge City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridge City archive →Bridge City and its neighbors
Bridge City is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 759 |
| Jefferson | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,536 |
| Bridge City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 444 |
| Westwego | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 982 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
| Avondale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
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 Bridge 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.
- 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 Bridge City
Is Bridge City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridge City has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #116 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (87%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridge City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 444 claims in Bridge City since 1978, $4.8M in all, or 139.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (48).
Is Bridge 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bridge City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridge City’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 Bridge City?
By FEMA money that reached Bridge City, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,145 households applied for aid, $4.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 48 paid, $1.4M.
Is Bridge City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Bridge City’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridge City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridge 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.