Photo: TheLionHasSeen · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Greenwood than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #16 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 2009.
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 Greenwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenwood 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Greenwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenwood, and Greenwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #16 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenwood’s residents live in 3 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, Greenwood has less expected damage per building than 91% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Greenwood: $598K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenwood flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenwood, from FEMA’s records: 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms8 claims · $63K
Greenwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caddo Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenwood
Disasters that paid out in Greenwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Greenwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms28 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura27 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$43K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
Caddo Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Greenwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenwood archive →Greenwood and its neighbors
Greenwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Shreveport | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,556 |
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 Greenwood 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- 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 Greenwood
Is Greenwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #16 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Greenwood since 2009, $627K in all, or 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (8).
Is Greenwood 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 Caddo Parish, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenwood’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 Greenwood?
By FEMA money that reached Greenwood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 24 households applied for aid, $43K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 8 paid, $63K.
Is Greenwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Greenwood’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenwood’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.