Photo: Nutriawood · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gretna than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gretna gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3,092 claims here since 1978.
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 Gretna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gretna 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 Gretna’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gretna, and Gretna’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #128 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gretna’s 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, Gretna has more expected damage per building than 79% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Gretna: $10.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gretna flood? Yes: 3,092 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gretna, from FEMA’s records: 370.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina430 claims · $20.5M
- Tropical Storm Allison34 claims · $126K
- Hurricane Isaac26 claims · $459K
Gretna is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gretna
Disasters that paid out in Gretna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gretna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine420 households applied for aid$551K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida18,244 households applied for aid$24.0M aid approved$4.1M to the City of Gretna for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Zeta715 households applied for aid$431K aid approved$205K to the City of Gretna for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac7,235 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$477K to the City of Gretna for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $459K
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee$18K to the City of Gretna for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
Show all 17
- 2008Hurricane Ike248 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav8,022 households applied for aid$658K aid approved$865K to the City of Gretna for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$978 aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,146 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina29,773 households applied for aid$132M aid approved$6.6M to the City of Gretna for repairs430 flood claims paid for it, $20.5M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved430 flood claims paid for it, $20.5M
- 2005Tropical Storm Cindy$17K to the City of Gretna for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan157 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$77K to the City of Gretna for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$20K to the City of Gretna for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$39K to the City of Gretna for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $101K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$3K to the City of Gretna for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $126K
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Gretna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gretna archive →Gretna and its neighbors
Gretna has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gretna | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,092 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
| Harvey | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,472 |
| Terrytown | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 2,196 |
| Timberlane | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 2,089 |
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 Gretna 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.
- Gretna residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gretna
Is Gretna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gretna has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gretna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,092 claims in Gretna since 1978, $40.5M in all, or 370.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 319 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (430).
Is Gretna 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gretna?
Gretna is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Gretna?
By FEMA money that reached Gretna, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 29,773 households applied for aid, $132M approved, and $6.6M to the City of Gretna for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 430 paid, $20.5M.
Is Gretna at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Gretna’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gretna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gretna’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.