FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Central than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #93 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1,869 claims here since 1995.
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 Central’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Central 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
Hurricanes
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 Central’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central, and Central’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D #93 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Central’s residents live in 6 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, Central has more expected damage per building than 57% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Central: $17.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central flood? Yes: 1,869 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central, from FEMA’s records: 151.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms1,818 claims · $190M
- Hurricane Delta12 claims · $546K
- Hurricane Gustav4 claims · $288K
Central is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: East Baton Rouge Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Central
Disasters that paid out in Central itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Central), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine$94K to the City of Central for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida49 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Central for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $15K
- 2020Hurricane Delta$244K to the City of Central for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $546K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding224 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$6.3M to the City of Central for repairs1,824 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1 households applied for aid$256K to the City of Central for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2 households applied for aid$1.3M to the City of Central for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $288K
East Baton Rouge Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Central after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central archive →Central and its neighbors
Central is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | B−less damage than 51% | hurricanes | 2,140 |
| Zachary | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 363 |
| Brownfields | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Monticello | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Central | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1,869 |
| Denham Springs | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,674 |
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 Central 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Central residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Central
Is Central at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #93 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Central flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,869 claims in Central since 1995, $192M in all, or 151.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 102 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (1,818).
Is Central 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 East Baton Rouge Parish, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central?
Central is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Central?
By FEMA money that reached Central, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 224 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $6.3M to the City of Central for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 1,818 paid, $190M.
Is Central at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Central’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central’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.