FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kaplan than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaplan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #88 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 100 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 Kaplan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kaplan 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 Kaplan’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kaplan, and Kaplan’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
D #88 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kaplan’s residents live in 2 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, Kaplan has more expected damage per building than 54% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Kaplan: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kaplan flood? Yes: 100 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kaplan, from FEMA’s records: 49.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms57 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Ike7 claims · $131K
- Hurricane Rita5 claims · $105K
Kaplan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vermilion Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kaplan
Disasters that paid out in Kaplan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kaplan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida$64K to the City of Kaplan for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta427 households applied for aid$489K aid approved$185K to the City of Kaplan for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura354 households applied for aid$505K aid approved$33K to the City of Kaplan for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$50K to the City of Kaplan for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding553 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved58 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike216 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$37K to the City of Kaplan for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $131K
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav818 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$89K to the City of Kaplan for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,951 households applied for aid$4.7M aid approved$243K to the City of Kaplan for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $105K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina33 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$20K to the City of Kaplan for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$269K to the City of Kaplan for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $19K
Vermilion Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Kaplan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kaplan archive →Get ready for what Kaplan 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 Kaplan
Is Kaplan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaplan has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #88 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kaplan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 100 claims in Kaplan since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 49.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% 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 (57).
Is Kaplan 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 Vermilion Parish, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 25.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kaplan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kaplan’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 Kaplan?
By FEMA money that reached Kaplan, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,951 households applied for aid, $4.7M approved, and $243K to the City of Kaplan for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 57 paid, $1.6M.
Is Kaplan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Kaplan’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kaplan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kaplan’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.