Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Harahan than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harahan 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 (87%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1,469 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 Harahan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harahan 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 Harahan’s grade
Hurricanes are 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harahan, and Harahan’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 11% (lower 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).
Harahan’s residents live in 4 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, Harahan has more expected damage per building than 69% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Harahan: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harahan flood? Yes: 1,469 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harahan, from FEMA’s records: 327.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina185 claims · $6.9M
- Tropical Storm Isidore25 claims · $132K
- Tropical Storm Allison14 claims · $100K
Harahan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harahan
Disasters that paid out in Harahan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harahan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine34 households applied for aid$17K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $301K
- 2021Hurricane Ida2,433 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$8.1M to the City of Harahan for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $226K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta16 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$124K to the City of Harahan for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Barry$4K to the City of Harahan for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Tropical Storm Nate$4K to the City of Harahan for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac537 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$343K to the City of Harahan for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $80K
Show all 16
- 2008Hurricane Ike14 households applied for aid$932 aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav785 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$345K to the City of Harahan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita57 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,348 households applied for aid$6.6M aid approved$5.6M to the City of Harahan for repairs185 flood claims paid for it, $6.9M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved185 flood claims paid for it, $6.9M
- 2005Tropical Storm Cindy$54K to the City of Harahan for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$357 aid approved$20K to the City of Harahan for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$32K to the City of Harahan for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$9K to the City of Harahan for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $132K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$1K to the City of Harahan for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $100K
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Harahan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harahan archive →Harahan and its neighbors
Harahan is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 759 |
| Harahan | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,469 |
| Waggaman | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 245 |
| River Ridge | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,571 |
| Avondale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
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 Harahan 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 Harahan
Is Harahan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harahan 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 (87%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harahan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,469 claims in Harahan since 1978, $28.4M in all, or 327.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 132 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (185).
Is Harahan 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 Harahan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harahan’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 Harahan?
By FEMA money that reached Harahan, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,348 households applied for aid, $6.6M approved, and $5.6M to the City of Harahan for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 185 paid, $6.9M.
Is Harahan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Harahan’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harahan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harahan’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.