FEMA puts Galliano’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galliano gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #151 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (76%), then coastal flooding (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Galliano’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Galliano faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Galliano’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galliano, and Galliano’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #151 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galliano’s residents live in 4 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, Galliano has more expected damage per building than 93% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Galliano: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galliano flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Galliano. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Galliano isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafourche Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galliano
Disasters that paid out in Galliano itself (aid to households or repair grants to Galliano), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur15 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Francine147 households applied for aid$256K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,800 households applied for aid$14.0M aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta109 households applied for aid$170K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac368 households applied for aid$207K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike91 households applied for aid$70K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Gustav758 households applied for aid$691K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita211 households applied for aid$262K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,479 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
Lafourche Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Galliano after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galliano archive →Galliano and its neighbors
Galliano is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Meadow | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 223 |
| Cut Off | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Galliano | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 0 |
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 Galliano 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Galliano
Is Galliano at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galliano has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #151 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (76%) and coastal flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Galliano 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 Lafourche Parish, 23.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Galliano?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galliano’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 Galliano?
By FEMA money that reached Galliano, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,800 households applied for aid, $14.0M approved.
Is Galliano at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Galliano’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galliano.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galliano’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.