Photo: Lane Lefort, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Des Allemands than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Allemands gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then coastal flooding (13%). 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 stands out about Des Allemands’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Des Allemands faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Des Allemands’ grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Des Allemands, and Des Allemands’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Des Allemands’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Des Allemands: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Des Allemands flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Des Allemands. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Des Allemands isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Charles Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Des Allemands
Disasters that paid out in Des Allemands itself (aid to households or repair grants to Des Allemands), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur1 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Francine129 households applied for aid$429K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,700 households applied for aid$5.8M aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac290 households applied for aid$390K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike18 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav697 households applied for aid$478K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita24 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,881 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan18 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
St. Charles Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Des Allemands after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Des Allemands archive →Des Allemands and its neighbors
Des Allemands is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou Gauche | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Des Allemands | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Paradis | — | 552 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Des Allemands 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Des Allemands
Is Des Allemands at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Des Allemands has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and coastal flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Des Allemands 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. Charles Parish, 55.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Des Allemands?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Des Allemands’ 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 Des Allemands?
By FEMA money that reached Des Allemands, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,700 households applied for aid, $5.8M approved.
Is Des Allemands at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Des Allemands’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Des Allemands.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Des Allemands’ 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.