Haynesville’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haynesville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then ice storms (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Haynesville 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 Haynesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haynesville, and Haynesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haynesville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $930K a year in losses across Haynesville: $539K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haynesville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haynesville, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $2K
- Tropical Storm Isidore1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $87K
Haynesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Claiborne Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haynesville
Disasters that paid out in Haynesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Haynesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms15 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$60K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$12K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$13K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$3K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$117K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs
Claiborne Parish has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Haynesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haynesville archive →Get ready for what Haynesville 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 Haynesville
Is Haynesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haynesville has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and ice storms (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Haynesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Haynesville since 1979, $98K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (1).
Is Haynesville 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 Claiborne Parish, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Haynesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haynesville’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 Haynesville?
By FEMA money that reached Haynesville, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $117K to the Town of Haynesville for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Haynesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Haynesville’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haynesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haynesville’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.