Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hammond than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammond gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #112 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 414 claims here since 1979.
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 Hammond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hammond 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 Hammond’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hammond, and Hammond’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #112 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hammond’s residents live in 13 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, Hammond has more expected damage per building than 69% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.5M a year in losses across Hammond: $17.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hammond flood? Yes: 414 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hammond, from FEMA’s records: 42.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida205 claims · $13.0M
- The Late winter severe storms41 claims · $1.3M
- The Mid-summer severe storms19 claims · $403K
Hammond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tangipahoa Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hammond
Disasters that paid out in Hammond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hammond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine$171K to the City of Hammond for repairs
- 2021Hurricane Ida18,562 households applied for aid$33.3M aid approved$2.5M to the City of Hammond for repairs205 flood claims paid for it, $13.0M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2,894 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved$32K to the City of Hammond for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2,202 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$101K to the City of Hammond for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac3,578 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$157K to the City of Hammond for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $119K
- 2008Hurricane Ike966 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Gustav4,512 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$509K to the City of Hammond for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita10 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina15,518 households applied for aid$16.8M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Hammond for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$500 aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$22K to the City of Hammond for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Tangipahoa Parish has had 36 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Hammond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hammond archive →Hammond and its neighbors
Hammond has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 414 |
| Ponchatoula | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 70 |
| Natalbany | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 285 |
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 Hammond 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 Hammond
Is Hammond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammond has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #112 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hammond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 414 claims in Hammond since 1979, $16.8M in all, or 42.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 59 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (205).
Is Hammond 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 Tangipahoa Parish, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hammond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hammond’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 Hammond?
By FEMA money that reached Hammond, Hurricane Ida (2021): 18,562 households applied for aid, $33.3M approved, and $2.5M to the City of Hammond for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 205 paid, $13.0M.
Is Hammond at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Hammond’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hammond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hammond’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.