Photo: TJM · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Chalmette’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chalmette gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #124 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 12,020 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 Chalmette’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chalmette 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 Chalmette’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chalmette, and Chalmette’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #124 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chalmette’s residents live in 10 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, Chalmette has more expected damage per building than 76% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.9M a year in losses across Chalmette: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chalmette flood? Yes: 12,020 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chalmette, from FEMA’s records: 1,329.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina8,848 claims · $1,209M
- Tropical Storm Isidore101 claims · $446K
- Tropical Storm Allison81 claims · $285K
Chalmette 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. Bernard Parish.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chalmette
Disasters that paid out in Chalmette itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chalmette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida7,610 households applied for aid$9.3M aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $461K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta560 households applied for aid$317K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac3,269 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved53 flood claims paid for it, $533K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,492 households applied for aid$316K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina19,951 households applied for aid$172M aid approved8,848 flood claims paid for it, $1.21B
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved8,848 flood claims paid for it, $1.21B
Show all 7
- 2004Hurricane Ivan69 households applied for aid$17K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
St. Bernard Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Chalmette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chalmette archive →Chalmette and its neighbors
Chalmette is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meraux | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 2,823 |
| Arabi | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 2,964 |
| Chalmette | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 12,020 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
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 Chalmette 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 Chalmette
Is Chalmette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chalmette has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #124 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chalmette flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12,020 claims in Chalmette since 1978, $1.24B in all, or 1,329.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (8,848).
Is Chalmette 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. Bernard Parish, 56.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Chalmette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chalmette’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 Chalmette?
By FEMA money that reached Chalmette, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 19,951 households applied for aid, $172M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 8,848 paid, $1.21B.
Is Chalmette at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Chalmette’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chalmette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chalmette’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.