Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Crowley’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crowley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #108 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 381 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 Crowley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Crowley 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 Crowley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crowley, and Crowley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #108 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crowley’s residents live in 5 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, Crowley has more expected damage per building than 66% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Crowley: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crowley flood? Yes: 381 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crowley, from FEMA’s records: 63.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms171 claims · $4.8M
- Hurricane Lili5 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Rita4 claims · $25K
Crowley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Acadia Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crowley
Disasters that paid out in Crowley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crowley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta1,274 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$175K to the City of Crowley for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1,018 households applied for aid$745K aid approved$144K to the City of Crowley for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,530 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$74K to the City of Crowley for repairs175 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$3.5M to the City of Crowley for repairs70 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike260 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$9K to the City of Crowley for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,708 households applied for aid$474K aid approved$346K to the City of Crowley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $918
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Rita4,965 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$202K to the City of Crowley for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $25K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina187 households applied for aid$268K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding397 households applied for aid$316K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$997K to the City of Crowley for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Acadia Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Crowley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crowley archive →Get ready for what Crowley 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Crowley
Is Crowley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crowley has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #108 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crowley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 381 claims in Crowley since 1978, $6.8M in all, or 63.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 57 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (171).
Is Crowley 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 Acadia Parish, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crowley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crowley’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 Crowley?
By FEMA money that reached Crowley, Hurricane Rita (2005): 4,965 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved, and $202K to the City of Crowley for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 171 paid, $4.8M.
Is Crowley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Crowley’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crowley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crowley’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.