Millet House · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gramercy than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gramercy gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #94 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (77%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1983.
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 Gramercy’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gramercy 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 Gramercy’s grade
Hurricanes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gramercy, and Gramercy’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #94 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gramercy’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Gramercy has more expected damage per building than 58% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Gramercy: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gramercy flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gramercy, from FEMA’s records: 32.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms3 claims · $52K
- Hurricane Francine3 claims · $97K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $23K
Gramercy 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. James Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gramercy
Disasters that paid out in Gramercy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gramercy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine323 households applied for aid$850K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $97K
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,205 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$1.5M to the Town of Gramercy for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding83 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$13K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac372 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$41K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $274K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav573 households applied for aid$605K aid approved$175K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina998 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$757K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs
Show all 9
- 2002Hurricane Lili$7K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$10K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$36K to the Town of Gramercy for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
St. James Parish has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Gramercy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gramercy archive →Gramercy and its neighbors
Gramercy is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutcher | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 50 |
| Gramercy | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 37 |
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 Gramercy 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 Gramercy
Is Gramercy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gramercy has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #94 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (77%) and river and rain flooding (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gramercy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Gramercy since 1983, $1.6M in all, or 32.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (3).
Is Gramercy 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. James Parish, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gramercy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gramercy’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 Gramercy?
By FEMA money that reached Gramercy, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,205 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $1.5M to the Town of Gramercy for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 3 paid, $52K.
Is Gramercy at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Gramercy’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gramercy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gramercy’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.