Photo: OzarksRazorback · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Destrehan’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Destrehan gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2,055 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 Destrehan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Destrehan 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 Destrehan’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Destrehan, and Destrehan’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #128 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Destrehan’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, Destrehan has more expected damage per building than 79% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Destrehan: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Destrehan flood? Yes: 2,055 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Destrehan, from FEMA’s records: 442.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida54 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Katrina43 claims · $951K
- Hurricane Francine34 claims · $1.6M
Destrehan 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Destrehan
Disasters that paid out in Destrehan itself (aid to households or repair grants to Destrehan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine309 households applied for aid$370K aid approved34 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2021Hurricane Ida4,528 households applied for aid$8.1M aid approved54 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
- 2012Hurricane Isaac880 households applied for aid$265K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $103K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,467 households applied for aid$216K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,472 households applied for aid$6.6M aid approved43 flood claims paid for it, $951K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan33 households applied for aid$3K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
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 Destrehan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Destrehan archive →Destrehan and its neighbors
Destrehan is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Destrehan 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 Destrehan
Is Destrehan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Destrehan has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Destrehan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,055 claims in Destrehan since 1978, $74.7M in all, or 442.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (54).
Is Destrehan 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 Destrehan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Destrehan’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 Destrehan?
By FEMA money that reached Destrehan, Hurricane Ida (2021): 4,528 households applied for aid, $8.1M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 54 paid, $1.7M.
Is Destrehan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Destrehan’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Destrehan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Destrehan’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.