Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Estelle faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estelle gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #133 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 2002.
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 Estelle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Estelle 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 Estelle’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Estelle, and Estelle’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #133 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Estelle’s residents live in 6 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, Estelle has more expected damage per building than 82% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Estelle: $10.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Estelle flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Estelle, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $175K
- Hurricane Katrina6 claims · $119K
- Hurricane Isaac4 claims · $30K
Estelle 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Estelle
Disasters that paid out in Estelle itself (aid to households or repair grants to Estelle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $175K
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Estelle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Estelle archive →Estelle and its neighbors
Estelle is 2nd of the 3 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 Estelle 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 Estelle
Is Estelle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Estelle has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #133 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Estelle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Estelle since 2002, $393K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (6).
Is Estelle 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 Estelle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Estelle’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 Estelle?
By FEMA money that reached Estelle, Hurricane Ida (2021): 5 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 6 paid, $175K.
Is Estelle at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Estelle’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Estelle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Estelle’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.