Photo: Infrogmation · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Jefferson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #111 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1,536 claims here since 1978.
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 Jefferson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jefferson 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 Jefferson’s grade
Hurricanes are 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jefferson, and Jefferson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 8% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #111 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jefferson’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jefferson has more expected damage per building than 68% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Jefferson: $11.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jefferson flood? Yes: 1,536 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jefferson, from FEMA’s records: 250.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina514 claims · $15.9M
- Tropical Storm Isidore21 claims · $243K
- Hurricane Juan9 claims · $71K
Jefferson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jefferson
Disasters that paid out in Jefferson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jefferson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine86 households applied for aid$99K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida2,606 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $97K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta50 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,027 households applied for aid$273K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2008Hurricane Ike27 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,390 households applied for aid$127K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita120 households applied for aid$75K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,377 households applied for aid$9.6M aid approved514 flood claims paid for it, $15.9M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Jefferson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jefferson archive →Jefferson and its neighbors
Jefferson is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 759 |
| Jefferson | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,536 |
| Bridge City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 444 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Jefferson 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 Jefferson
Is Jefferson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jefferson has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #111 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (90%) and river and rain flooding (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jefferson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,536 claims in Jefferson since 1978, $24.6M in all, or 250.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (514).
Is Jefferson 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Jefferson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jefferson’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 Jefferson?
By FEMA money that reached Jefferson, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 2,377 households applied for aid, $9.6M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 514 paid, $15.9M.
Is Jefferson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Jefferson’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jefferson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jefferson’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.