Photo: Billy Hathorn · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Homer than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homer gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #50 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then ice storms (19%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1990.
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 Homer 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 Homer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Homer, and Homer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #50 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Homer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Homer has less expected damage per building than 70% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Homer: $926K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Homer flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Homer, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms3 claims · $440K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $7K
Homer 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Homer
Disasters that paid out in Homer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Homer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine1 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms42 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding317 households applied for aid$484K aid approved$78K to the Town of Homer for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$6K to the Town of Homer for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$12K to the Town of Homer for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$65K to the Town of Homer for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Homer for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the Town of Homer for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Homer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Homer archive →Get ready for what Homer 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 Homer
Is Homer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Homer has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #50 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and ice storms (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Homer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Homer since 1990, $674K in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (3).
Is Homer 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 Homer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Homer’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 Homer?
By FEMA money that reached Homer, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 317 households applied for aid, $484K approved, and $78K to the Town of Homer for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 3 paid, $440K.
Is Homer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Homer’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Homer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Homer’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.