St. Mary's Assumption Church · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cottonport faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottonport gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Cottonport 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
Tornadoes
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 Cottonport’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cottonport, and Cottonport’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cottonport’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $858K a year in losses across Cottonport: $319K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cottonport flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cottonport, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $54K
Cottonport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Avoyelles Parish.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cottonport
Disasters that paid out in Cottonport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cottonport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur353 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms21 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav396 households applied for aid$198K aid approved$25K to the Town of Cottonport for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$38K to the Town of Cottonport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Hurricane Lili$18K to the Town of Cottonport for repairs
Avoyelles Parish has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Cottonport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cottonport archive →Get ready for what Cottonport 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Cottonport
Is Cottonport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cottonport has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cottonport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cottonport since 2011, $75K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Cottonport 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 Avoyelles Parish, 4.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cottonport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cottonport’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 Cottonport?
By FEMA money that reached Cottonport, Tropical Storm Arthur (2026): 353 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $54K.
Is Cottonport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Cottonport’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cottonport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cottonport’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.