On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Deville, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deville gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (29%). 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 Deville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Deville 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
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 Deville’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deville, and Deville’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (among the lowest of U.S. census tracts).
A+ among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Deville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $307K a year in losses across Deville: $126K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Deville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Deville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rapides Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Deville
Disasters that paid out in Deville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Deville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms31 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta26 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura456 households applied for aid$219K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav513 households applied for aid$530K aid approved
Rapides Parish has had 35 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 Rapides Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Deville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deville archive →Get ready for what Deville 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.
- 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 Deville
Is Deville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deville has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (29%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Deville 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 Rapides Parish, 5.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Deville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deville’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 Deville?
By FEMA money that reached Deville, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 513 households applied for aid, $530K approved.
Is Deville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Deville’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deville’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.