Photo: Falkonry at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Duson than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1979.
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 Duson 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 Duson’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Duson, and Duson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Duson’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $889K a year in losses across Duson: $602K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Duson flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Duson, from FEMA’s records: 35.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms17 claims · $824K
Duson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafayette Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Duson
Disasters that paid out in Duson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Duson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta315 households applied for aid$387K aid approved$116K to the Town of Duson for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,003 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$55K to the Town of Duson for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike1 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav651 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$64K to the Town of Duson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita970 households applied for aid$807K aid approved$49K to the Town of Duson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina50 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$85K to the Town of Duson for repairs
Lafayette Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Duson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Duson archive →Get ready for what Duson 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 Duson
Is Duson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Duson has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Duson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Duson since 1979, $883K in all, or 35.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (17).
Is Duson 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 Lafayette Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Duson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Duson’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 Duson?
By FEMA money that reached Duson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,003 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $55K to the Town of Duson for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 17 paid, $824K.
Is Duson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Duson’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Duson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Duson’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.