Central Bank and Trust Co. · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Hessmer
Hessmer isn’t graded for hazard risk: Hessmer has 828 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2010.
What Hessmer 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
Tornadoes
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.
Does Hessmer flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hessmer, from FEMA’s records.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS4 claims · $406K
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $11K
Hessmer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Avoyelles Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hessmer
Disasters that paid out in Hessmer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hessmer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur72 households applied for aid$407K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms14 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$27K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav296 households applied for aid$198K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$8K to the Village of Hessmer for repairs
Avoyelles Parish has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Hessmer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hessmer archive →Get ready for what Hessmer 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hessmer
Does Hessmer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Hessmer since 2010, $698K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (4).
Is Hessmer 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 Avoyelles Parish, 4.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hessmer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hessmer’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 Hessmer?
By FEMA money that reached Hessmer, Tropical Storm Arthur (2026): 72 households applied for aid, $407K approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 4 paid, $406K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hessmer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hessmer’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.