FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Iota than in 93% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iota gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1982.
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 Iota 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
Hurricanes
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 Iota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Iota, and Iota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Iota’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Iota: $920K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Iota flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Iota, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms4 claims · $90K
Iota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Acadia Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Iota
Disasters that paid out in Iota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Iota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta154 households applied for aid$137K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura218 households applied for aid$125K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding146 households applied for aid$298K aid approved$46K to the Town of Iota for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike59 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav206 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$22K to the Town of Iota for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,049 households applied for aid$983K aid approved$16K to the Town of Iota for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina27 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$18K to the Town of Iota for repairs
Acadia Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Iota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Iota archive →Get ready for what Iota 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.
- 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.
- 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 Iota
Is Iota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Iota has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (46%). 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 Iota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Iota since 1982, $126K in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (4).
Is Iota 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 Acadia Parish, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Iota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Iota’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 Iota?
By FEMA money that reached Iota, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,049 households applied for aid, $983K approved, and $16K to the Town of Iota for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 4 paid, $90K.
Is Iota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Iota’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Iota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Iota’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.