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D−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Covington · FEMA

FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Covington than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #138 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 528 claims here since 1978.

Hurricanes 62%River and rain flooding 35%Tornadoes 1%

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

more than 97%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#138 of 162 in Louisiana
Hazard risk
D−#138 of 162
in Louisiana · higher than 97% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
62% of expected building damage
Flood claims
528
paid since 1978 · $16.0M
Flooded more than once
68
properties · 20 “severe repetitive loss”
Flood insurance
10% off
Community discount (class 8)

What stands out about Covington’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

528 paid flood claims since 1978$16.0M in all; 68 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 97% of U.S. towns.10% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns Covington residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8).Hurricanes: the top 2% of U.S. tractsFEMA’s building-damage rate for hurricanes here ranks in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts; it is 62.0% of the damage it expects.Made safer with FEMA grants81 homes raised above flood level; 3 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 2 buildings retrofitted against wind with FEMA grants.
By hazard

What Covington faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hurricanes

62%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area

River and rain flooding

35%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Hail Earthquakes Wildfire Ice storms Strong wind Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Covington’s grade

Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Covington, and Covington’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Covington sits
Covington
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D− #138 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Covington’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes62%River and rain flooding35%Everything else3%

The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Covington has more expected damage per building than 85% of Louisiana towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.8M a year in losses across Covington: $11.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Ida in 2021, FEMA took 15,980 aid registrations from Covington addresses (the town has 4,640 homes) and flood insurance paid 32 claims for $1.3M.
A small-area figure. Covington covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Covington flood? Yes: 528 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Covington, from FEMA’s records: 113.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 2 claims1979: 0 claims1980: 10 claims1981: 1 claim1982: 1 claim1983: 44 claims1984: 1 claim1985: 1 claim1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 6 claims1989: 1 claim1990: 2 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 5 claims1993: 24 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 71 claims1996: 20 claims1997: 1 claim1998: 32 claims1999: 1 claim2000: 0 claims2001: 18 claims2002: 29 claims2003: 42 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 23 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 8 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 1 claim2012: 25 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 4 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 107 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 4 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 4 claims2021: 34 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 5 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198319952016
19782026
Biggest named events
  • The Late winter severe storms103 claims · $7.0M
  • Hurricane Ida32 claims · $1.3M
  • Hurricane Isaac25 claims · $1.1M
528
paid claims since 1978
$16.0M
paid to owners
68
homes flooded more than once
$30K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
Each house = 2 homesFEMA “severe repetitive loss” (20)Flooded 2+ times
of all homes are insured
Community discount10% off flood insurance

Covington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: St. Tammany Parish.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
81homes raised above flood level
3flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
2buildings retrofitted against wind
Disasters

14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Covington

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

  1. 2026Tropical Storm Arthur88 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
  2. 2024Hurricane Francine$57K to the City of Covington for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
  3. 2021Hurricane Ida15,980 households applied for aid$11.9M aid approved$4.8M to the City of Covington for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
  4. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding179 households applied for aid$223K aid approved
  5. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,021 households applied for aid$4.2M aid approved$211K to the City of Covington for repairs
  6. 2012Hurricane Isaac1,745 households applied for aid$917K aid approved$93K to the City of Covington for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
Show all 14
  1. 2008Hurricane Ike48 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
  2. 2008Hurricane Gustav2,890 households applied for aid$393K aid approved$386K to the City of Covington for repairs
  3. 2005Hurricane Rita489 households applied for aid$166K aid approved
  4. 2005Hurricane Katrina18,868 households applied for aid$44.6M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Covington for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $493K
  5. 2004Hurricane Ivan4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$21K to the City of Covington for repairs
  6. 2002Hurricane Lili$92K to the City of Covington for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $206K
  7. 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$18K to the City of Covington for repairs
  8. 2001Tropical Storm Allison$16K to the City of Covington for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $115K
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in CovingtonSt. Tammany Parish only

St. Tammany Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.

Were you here?

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

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Be ready

Get ready for what Covington faces

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

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • Covington residents get 10% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Covington

Is Covington at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Covington has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #138 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Covington flood?

Flood insurance has paid 528 claims in Covington since 1978, $16.0M in all, or 113.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (103).

Is Covington 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. Tammany Parish, 40.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.

How much is flood insurance in Covington?

Covington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Covington?

By FEMA money that reached Covington, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 18,868 households applied for aid, $44.6M approved, and $1.6M to the City of Covington for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 103 paid, $7.0M.

Is Covington at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Covington’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Covington.

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