On FEMA’s figures, Erath faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erath gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (59%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 659 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 Erath’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Erath 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 Erath’s grade
Hurricanes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erath, and Erath’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Erath’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Erath: $803K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erath flood? Yes: 659 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erath, from FEMA’s records: 773.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Rita270 claims · $13.7M
- Hurricane Ike166 claims · $5.2M
- Tropical Storm Allison87 claims · $1.6M
Erath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vermilion Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erath
Disasters that paid out in Erath itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erath), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta221 households applied for aid$239K aid approved$128K to the Town of Erath for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura281 households applied for aid$271K aid approved$29K to the Town of Erath for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $108K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding346 households applied for aid$480K aid approved$42K to the Town of Erath for repairs63 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$3K to the Town of Erath for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike797 households applied for aid$897K aid approved$8K to the Town of Erath for repairs166 flood claims paid for it, $5.2M
- 2008Hurricane Gustav796 households applied for aid$209K aid approved$31K to the Town of Erath for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,090 households applied for aid$13.3M aid approved$238K to the Town of Erath for repairs270 flood claims paid for it, $13.7M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina17 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$4K to the Town of Erath for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$28K to the Town of Erath for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$2K to the Town of Erath for repairs87 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
Vermilion Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Erath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erath archive →Erath and its neighbors
Erath has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erath | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 659 |
| Delcambre | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 472 |
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 Erath 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 Erath
Is Erath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erath has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (59%) and river and rain flooding (38%). 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.
Does Erath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 659 claims in Erath since 1978, $24.4M in all, or 773.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 90 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Rita (270).
Is Erath 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 Vermilion Parish, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 25.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erath’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 Erath?
By FEMA money that reached Erath, Hurricane Rita (2005): 3,090 households applied for aid, $13.3M approved, and $238K to the Town of Erath for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Rita: 270 paid, $13.7M.
Is Erath at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Erath’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erath’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.