Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Gonzales faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #70 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (74%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 563 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 Gonzales’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gonzales 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 Gonzales’ grade
Hurricanes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gonzales, and Gonzales’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #70 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gonzales’ residents live in 8 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, Gonzales has less expected damage per building than 57% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.0M a year in losses across Gonzales: $8.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gonzales flood? Yes: 563 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gonzales, from FEMA’s records: 94.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms202 claims · $12.0M
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms27 claims · $1.0M
- Hurricane Isaac25 claims · $391K
Gonzales is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gonzales
Disasters that paid out in Gonzales itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gonzales), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine1,564 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$163K to the City of Gonzales for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida11,296 households applied for aid$9.5M aid approved$2.2M to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding63 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$8K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$15K to the City of Gonzales for repairs27 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Barry$64K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2,927 households applied for aid$8.0M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Gonzales for repairs
Show all 14
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding66 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$5K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,059 households applied for aid$480K aid approved$171K to the City of Gonzales for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $391K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav3,896 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$279K to the City of Gonzales for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita904 households applied for aid$701K aid approved$47K to the City of Gonzales for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $267K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,077 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$361K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$5K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$22K to the City of Gonzales for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$25K to the City of Gonzales for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $155K
Its 2 counties have had 45 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Gonzales after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gonzales archive →Get ready for what Gonzales 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.
- Gonzales residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gonzales
Is Gonzales at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #70 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (74%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gonzales flood?
Flood insurance has paid 563 claims in Gonzales since 1979, $18.1M in all, or 94.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 72 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (202).
Is Gonzales 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 the county, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 28.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gonzales?
Gonzales is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gonzales?
By FEMA money that reached Gonzales, Hurricane Ida (2021): 11,296 households applied for aid, $9.5M approved, and $2.2M to the City of Gonzales for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 202 paid, $12.0M.
Is Gonzales at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Gonzales’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gonzales.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gonzales’ 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.