Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gueydan than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gueydan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1980.
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 Gueydan 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 Gueydan’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gueydan, and Gueydan’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gueydan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Gueydan: $681K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gueydan flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gueydan, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms6 claims · $246K
Gueydan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vermilion Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gueydan
Disasters that paid out in Gueydan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gueydan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta134 households applied for aid$296K aid approved$276K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura271 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$123K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$14K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2017Tropical Storm Harvey$7K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding269 households applied for aid$567K aid approved$80K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike58 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$40K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav156 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$68K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,500 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$68K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$24K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$80K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs
Vermilion Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Gueydan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gueydan archive →Get ready for what Gueydan 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 Gueydan
Is Gueydan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gueydan has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (28%). 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 Gueydan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Gueydan since 1980, $312K in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (6).
Is Gueydan 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 Vermilion Parish, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 25.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gueydan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gueydan’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 Gueydan?
By FEMA money that reached Gueydan, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,500 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $68K to the Town of Gueydan for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 6 paid, $246K.
Is Gueydan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Gueydan’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gueydan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gueydan’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.