Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Haughton’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haughton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #47 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then ice storms (14%). Flood insurance has paid 61 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 Haughton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Haughton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Haughton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haughton, and Haughton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #47 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haughton’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, Haughton has less expected damage per building than 71% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Haughton: $875K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haughton flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haughton, from FEMA’s records: 33.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms18 claims · $1.3M
Haughton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bossier Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haughton
Disasters that paid out in Haughton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Haughton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms114 households applied for aid$114K aid approved$37K to the Town of Haughton for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding285 households applied for aid$813K aid approved$55K to the Town of Haughton for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$4K to the Town of Haughton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$2K to the Town of Haughton for repairs
Bossier Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Haughton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haughton archive →Get ready for what Haughton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Haughton
Is Haughton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haughton has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #47 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and ice storms (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Haughton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Haughton since 1979, $2.5M in all, or 33.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (18).
Is Haughton 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 Bossier Parish, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Haughton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haughton’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 Haughton?
By FEMA money that reached Haughton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 285 households applied for aid, $813K approved, and $55K to the Town of Haughton for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 18 paid, $1.3M.
Is Haughton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Haughton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haughton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haughton’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.