All Saints Episcopal Church · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in DeQuincy than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeQuincy gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #75 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (41%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 DeQuincy 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
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 DeQuincy’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeQuincy, and DeQuincy’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D #75 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
DeQuincy’s residents live in 2 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, DeQuincy has less expected damage per building than 54% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across DeQuincy: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeQuincy flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in DeQuincy. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
DeQuincy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeQuincy
Disasters that paid out in DeQuincy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeQuincy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta527 households applied for aid$477K aid approved$70K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura2,979 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$6.0M to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike827 households applied for aid$229K aid approved$64K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav710 households applied for aid$91K aid approved$14K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,832 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved$407K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina26 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$12K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$3K to the City of DeQuincy for repairs
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 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 Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of DeQuincy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeQuincy archive →Get ready for what DeQuincy 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.
- 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 DeQuincy
Is DeQuincy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeQuincy has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #75 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is DeQuincy 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeQuincy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeQuincy’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 DeQuincy?
By FEMA money that reached DeQuincy, Hurricane Laura (2020): 2,979 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved, and $6.0M to the City of DeQuincy for repairs.
Is DeQuincy at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and DeQuincy’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeQuincy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeQuincy’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.