Shady Grove School and Community Building · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in DeRidder than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeRidder gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #49 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 69 claims here since 1982.
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 DeRidder’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What DeRidder 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
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 DeRidder’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in DeRidder, and DeRidder’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #49 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
DeRidder’s residents live in 4 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, DeRidder has less expected damage per building than 70% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across DeRidder: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does DeRidder flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in DeRidder, from FEMA’s records: 14.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Laura3 claims · $56K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $96K
- Hurricane Juan1 claim · $2K
DeRidder isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beauregard Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to DeRidder
Disasters that paid out in DeRidder itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of DeRidder), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta507 households applied for aid$720K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura7,031 households applied for aid$7.5M aid approved$4.8M to the City of DeRidder for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $56K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding63 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$5K to the City of DeRidder for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike554 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$78K to the City of DeRidder for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav561 households applied for aid$144K aid approved$38K to the City of DeRidder for repairs
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$46K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita9,579 households applied for aid$12.4M aid approved$545K to the City of DeRidder for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$3K to the City of DeRidder for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Beauregard Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Beauregard Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of DeRidder after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the DeRidder archive →Get ready for what DeRidder 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.
- 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 DeRidder
Is DeRidder at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, DeRidder has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #49 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does DeRidder flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in DeRidder since 1982, $1.1M in all, or 14.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Laura (3).
Is DeRidder 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 Beauregard Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in DeRidder?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for DeRidder’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 DeRidder?
By FEMA money that reached DeRidder, Hurricane Rita (2005): 9,579 households applied for aid, $12.4M approved, and $545K to the City of DeRidder for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Laura: 3 paid, $56K.
Is DeRidder at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and DeRidder’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in DeRidder.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where DeRidder’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.