Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Broussard than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broussard gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #76 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 151 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 Broussard’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Broussard 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 Broussard’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Broussard, and Broussard’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #76 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Broussard’s residents live in 9 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, Broussard has less expected damage per building than 53% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Broussard: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Broussard flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Broussard, from FEMA’s records: 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms68 claims · $2.6M
- Tropical Storm Allison24 claims · $545K
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms2 claims · $27K
Broussard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette Parish.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Broussard
Disasters that paid out in Broussard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Broussard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida41 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$35K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta217 households applied for aid$197K aid approved$487K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$161K to the City of Broussard for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2019Hurricane Barry$112K to the City of Broussard for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding685 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$181K to the City of Broussard for repairs68 flood claims paid that year
Show all 14
- 2012Hurricane Isaac8 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$63K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike10 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav633 households applied for aid$380K aid approved$400K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita830 households applied for aid$750K aid approved$294K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina53 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$41K to the City of Broussard for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$537K to the City of Broussard for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$40K to the City of Broussard for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $545K
Lafayette Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Broussard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Broussard archive →Broussard and its neighbors
Broussard has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broussard | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 151 |
| Youngsville | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | 212 |
| Cade | Dmore damage than 93% | hurricanes | — |
| Lafayette | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 1,913 |
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 Broussard 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 Broussard
Is Broussard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broussard has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #76 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Broussard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Broussard since 1978, $4.2M in all, or 26.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (68).
Is Broussard 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 Lafayette Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Broussard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Broussard’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 Broussard?
By FEMA money that reached Broussard, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 685 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $181K to the City of Broussard for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 68 paid, $2.6M.
Is Broussard at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Broussard’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Broussard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Broussard’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.