–Not graded

Natural hazards in Clarence · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Clarence

Clarence isn’t graded for hazard risk: Clarence has 317 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1980.

Flood claims

paid since 1980 · $374K

Flooded more than once

properties · 3 “severe repetitive loss”

Disasters paid out here

of 29 declared for Natchitoches Parish

By hazard

What Clarence 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

74%of expected building damage

Above average · higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts

Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

9%of expected building damage

Well above average · higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts

Recorded about once every 4 years in the area

Strong wind

6%of expected building damage

Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts

Recorded about 5 times a year in the area

Smaller shares here

Hail Hurricanes Ice storms Earthquakes Winter storms Wildfire Lightning Cold waves Heat waves Landslides

FEMA models no building damage here

Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts heat waves at 8% of Clarence’s expected losses. Heat waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.

Flood insurance claims

Does Clarence flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1980

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarence, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year

199120062016

19802026

Biggest named events

The Late winter severe storms4 claims · $81K
The Spring storm2 claims · $2K
Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $2K

paid claims since 1980

$374K

paid to owners

homes flooded more than once

$9K

average claim

Homes that flooded again and again

FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (3)Flooded 2+ times

of homes in flood zones are insured

of all homes are insured

No community discount

Clarence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Natchitoches Parish.

Disasters

3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarence

Disasters that paid out in Clarence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Clarence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

2020Hurricane Laura47 households applied for aid$20K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $387
2016Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$31K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
2006Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year

Disasters declared, by decade

Paid out in ClarenceNatchitoches Parish only

Natchitoches Parish has had 29 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 Natchitoches Parish, 2000–2000.

Were you here?

Old photos of Clarence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Clarence archive →

Be ready

Get ready for what Clarence faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises

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.

Questions about natural hazards in Clarence

Does Clarence flood?

Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Clarence since 1980, $374K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (4).

Is Clarence 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 Natchitoches Parish, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Clarence?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarence’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 Clarence?

By FEMA money that reached Clarence, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 25 households applied for aid, $31K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 4 paid, $81K.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarence.

Town Square →

Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarence’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.

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