Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Grambling’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grambling gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #17 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then ice storms (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 Grambling 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Grambling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grambling, and Grambling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #17 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grambling’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, Grambling has less expected damage per building than 90% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Grambling: $906K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grambling flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grambling, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $115K
Grambling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grambling
Disasters that paid out in Grambling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grambling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Laura258 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$35K to the City of Grambling for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding68 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$17K to the City of Grambling for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$2K to the City of Grambling for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$15K to the City of Grambling for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$9K to the City of Grambling for repairs
Lincoln Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Grambling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grambling archive →Grambling and its neighbors
Grambling 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grambling | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ruston | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Grambling 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Grambling
Is Grambling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grambling has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #17 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and ice storms (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grambling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Grambling since 2016, $115K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (2).
Is Grambling 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 Lincoln Parish, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grambling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grambling’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 Grambling?
By FEMA money that reached Grambling, Hurricane Laura (2020): 258 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $35K to the City of Grambling for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 2 paid, $115K.
Is Grambling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Grambling’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grambling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grambling’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.