Photo: Gloverepp · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Denham Springs’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, Denham Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #116 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 2,674 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 Denham Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Denham Springs 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 Denham Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Denham Springs, and Denham Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 47%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #116 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Denham Springs’ 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, Denham Springs has more expected damage per building than 71% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across Denham Springs: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Denham Springs flood? Yes: 2,674 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Denham Springs, from FEMA’s records: 600.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms1,378 claims · $167M
- Tropical Storm Allison95 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Gustav17 claims · $523K
Denham Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Livingston Parish.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Denham Springs
Disasters that paid out in Denham Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Denham Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine$51K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida17,589 households applied for aid$12.6M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$26K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta$49K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved$20K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$94K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
Show all 18
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds40 households applied for aid$135K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding18,571 households applied for aid$144M aid approved$18.5M to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding145 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$20K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,318 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$248K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike60 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav5,496 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Denham Springs for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $523K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita614 households applied for aid$386K aid approved$165K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $48K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina7,244 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$478K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$37K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$10K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$20K to the City of Denham Springs for repairs95 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
Livingston Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Denham Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Denham Springs archive →Denham Springs and its neighbors
Denham Springs is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | B−less damage than 51% | hurricanes | 2,140 |
| Central | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1,869 |
| Denham Springs | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,674 |
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 Denham Springs 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.
- Denham Springs residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Denham Springs
Is Denham Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denham Springs has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #116 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Denham Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,674 claims in Denham Springs since 1978, $188M in all, or 600.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 240 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (1,378).
Is Denham Springs 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 Livingston Parish, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 26.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Denham Springs?
Denham Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Denham Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Denham Springs, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 18,571 households applied for aid, $144M approved, and $18.5M to the City of Denham Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 1,378 paid, $167M.
Is Denham Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Denham Springs’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Denham Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Denham Springs’ 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.