On FEMA’s figures, Henderson faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (79%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 43 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 Henderson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Henderson 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 Henderson’s grade
Hurricanes are 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Henderson, and Henderson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 16% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Henderson’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $951K a year in losses across Henderson: $528K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Henderson flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Henderson, from FEMA’s records: 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms6 claims · $640K
- Hurricane Rita1 claim · $771
Henderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Martin Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Henderson
Disasters that paid out in Henderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Henderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$26K to the Town of Henderson for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike3 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav91 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$20K to the Town of Henderson for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita32 households applied for aid$38K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $771
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$12K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
St. Martin Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Henderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Henderson archive →Get ready for what Henderson 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 Henderson
Is Henderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Henderson has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (79%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Henderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Henderson since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (6).
Is Henderson 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 St. Martin Parish, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Henderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Henderson’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 Henderson?
By FEMA money that reached Henderson, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 91 households applied for aid, $105K approved, and $20K to the Town of Henderson for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 6 paid, $640K.
Is Henderson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Henderson’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Henderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Henderson’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.