Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Eunice than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eunice gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #61 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 172 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 stands out about Eunice’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eunice faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Eunice’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eunice, and Eunice’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #61 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eunice’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, Eunice has less expected damage per building than 63% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Eunice: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eunice flood? Yes: 172 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eunice, from FEMA’s records: 36.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms77 claims · $3.8M
- Hurricane Lili4 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Delta1 claim · $53K
Eunice isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Landry Parish.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eunice
Disasters that paid out in Eunice itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eunice), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur29 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta358 households applied for aid$298K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $53K
- 2020Hurricane Laura634 households applied for aid$491K aid approved$92K to the City of Eunice for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,160 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$55K to the City of Eunice for repairs77 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Eunice for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$15K to the City of Eunice for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Hurricane Ike18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,702 households applied for aid$685K aid approved$251K to the City of Eunice for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$45K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,986 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$289K to the City of Eunice for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina8 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$22K to the City of Eunice for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$33K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$257K to the City of Eunice for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $24K
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Eunice after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eunice archive →Get ready for what Eunice faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Eunice
Is Eunice at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eunice has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #61 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eunice flood?
Flood insurance has paid 172 claims in Eunice since 1979, $5.5M in all, or 36.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (77).
Is Eunice 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 St. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eunice?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eunice’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 Eunice?
By FEMA money that reached Eunice, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,160 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $55K to the City of Eunice for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 77 paid, $3.8M.
Is Eunice at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Eunice’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eunice.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eunice’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.