FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Carlyss than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carlyss gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #70 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 67 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 Carlyss 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 Carlyss’ grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carlyss, and Carlyss’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #70 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Carlyss’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Carlyss has less expected damage per building than 57% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Carlyss: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carlyss flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carlyss, from FEMA’s records: 30.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike15 claims · $576K
- Hurricane Rita9 claims · $455K
- Hurricane Delta5 claims · $296K
Carlyss isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carlyss
Disasters that paid out in Carlyss itself (aid to households or repair grants to Carlyss), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Laura7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $576K
- 2005Hurricane Rita6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $455K
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Carlyss after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carlyss archive →Carlyss and its neighbors
Carlyss has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlyss | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 67 |
| Sulphur | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 597 |
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 Carlyss 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 Carlyss
Is Carlyss at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carlyss has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #70 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (39%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carlyss flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Carlyss since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 30.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (15).
Is Carlyss 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carlyss?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carlyss’ 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 Carlyss?
By FEMA money that reached Carlyss, Hurricane Rita (2005): 6 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 15 paid, $576K.
Is Carlyss at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Carlyss’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carlyss.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carlyss’ 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.