Photo: DwayneP · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Independence faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Independence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Independence 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 Independence’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence, and Independence’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Independence’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Independence: $925K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Independence, from FEMA’s records: 31.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms15 claims · $815K
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $233K
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $37K
Independence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tangipahoa Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Independence
Disasters that paid out in Independence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Independence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida3,788 households applied for aid$8.7M aid approved$200K to the Town of Independence for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $233K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,831 households applied for aid$10.0M aid approved$225K to the Town of Independence for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding624 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$4K to the Town of Independence for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,036 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$33K to the Town of Independence for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2008Hurricane Ike358 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,033 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$28K to the Town of Independence for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita19 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3,659 households applied for aid$5.6M aid approved$104K to the Town of Independence for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$2K to the Town of Independence for repairs
Tangipahoa Parish has had 36 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Independence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Independence archive →Get ready for what Independence 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 Independence
Is Independence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Independence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Independence since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 31.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (15).
Is Independence 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 Tangipahoa Parish, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Independence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence’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 Independence?
By FEMA money that reached Independence, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,831 households applied for aid, $10.0M approved, and $225K to the Town of Independence for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 15 paid, $815K.
Is Independence at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Independence’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence’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.