Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Harvey than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harvey gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #135 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 3,472 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 Harvey’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harvey 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 Harvey’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harvey, and Harvey’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 17% (lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #135 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harvey’s residents live in 9 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, Harvey has more expected damage per building than 83% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.8M a year in losses across Harvey: $16.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harvey flood? Yes: 3,472 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harvey, from FEMA’s records: 375.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina418 claims · $22.2M
- Tropical Storm Allison27 claims · $137K
- Hurricane Isaac25 claims · $959K
Harvey 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harvey
Disasters that paid out in Harvey itself (aid to households or repair grants to Harvey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine647 households applied for aid$754K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida15,378 households applied for aid$23.7M aid approved15 flood claims paid for it, $700K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta916 households applied for aid$613K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac7,810 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved25 flood claims paid for it, $959K
- 2008Hurricane Ike236 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav8,375 households applied for aid$981K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,349 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina25,718 households applied for aid$118M aid approved418 flood claims paid for it, $22.2M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan142 households applied for aid$43K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Harvey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harvey archive →Harvey and its neighbors
Harvey is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrero | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 6,057 |
| Gretna | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,092 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
| Woodmere | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1,474 |
| Harvey | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,472 |
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 Harvey 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 Harvey
Is Harvey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harvey has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #135 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harvey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,472 claims in Harvey since 1978, $49.8M in all, or 375.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (418).
Is Harvey 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 Harvey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harvey’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 Harvey?
By FEMA money that reached Harvey, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 25,718 households applied for aid, $118M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 418 paid, $22.2M.
Is Harvey at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Harvey’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harvey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harvey’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.