Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Elmwood’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmwood gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #106 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (93%). Flood insurance has paid 759 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 Elmwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elmwood 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 Elmwood’s grade
Hurricanes are 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elmwood, and Elmwood’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 5% (lower than 99% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #106 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elmwood’s residents live in 3 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, Elmwood has more expected damage per building than 65% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Elmwood: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elmwood flood? Yes: 759 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elmwood, from FEMA’s records: 181.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina153 claims · $12.9M
- Hurricane Francine17 claims · $1.8M
- Hurricane Isaac7 claims · $58K
Elmwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elmwood
Disasters that paid out in Elmwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to Elmwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine9 households applied for aid$300 aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $1.8M
- 2021Hurricane Ida166 households applied for aid$220K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved153 flood claims paid for it, $12.9M
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Elmwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elmwood archive →Elmwood and its neighbors
Elmwood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 759 |
| Jefferson | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,536 |
| Harahan | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,469 |
| Bridge City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 444 |
| Avondale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
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 Elmwood 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 Elmwood
Is Elmwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmwood has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #106 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (93%) and river and rain flooding (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elmwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 759 claims in Elmwood since 1978, $29.7M in all, or 181.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (153).
Is Elmwood 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Elmwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elmwood’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 Elmwood?
By FEMA money that reached Elmwood, Hurricane Ida (2021): 166 households applied for aid, $220K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 153 paid, $12.9M.
Is Elmwood at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Elmwood’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elmwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elmwood’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.