Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kenner than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenner gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #153 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 11,828 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 Kenner’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kenner 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 Kenner’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenner, and Kenner’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #153 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenner’s residents live in 18 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, Kenner has more expected damage per building than 94% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $49.4M a year in losses across Kenner: $42.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenner flood? Yes: 11,828 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenner, from FEMA’s records: 423.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina7,265 claims · $489M
- Hurricane Francine562 claims · $32.7M
- Tropical Storm Isidore260 claims · $2.8M
Kenner is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenner
Disasters that paid out in Kenner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kenner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine2,379 households applied for aid$4.2M aid approved$22K to the City of Kenner for repairs562 flood claims paid for it, $32.7M
- 2021Hurricane Ida25,308 households applied for aid$38.7M aid approved$23.6M to the City of Kenner for repairs226 flood claims paid for it, $6.1M
- 2020Hurricane Zeta483 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$665K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally$30K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$44K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$54K to the City of Kenner for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Show all 18
- 2017Tropical Storm Nate$36K to the City of Kenner for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac9,410 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$3.6M to the City of Kenner for repairs138 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee$104K to the City of Kenner for repairs57 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike249 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$16K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav10,167 households applied for aid$914K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,268 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina41,862 households applied for aid$195M aid approved$46.2M to the City of Kenner for repairs7,265 flood claims paid for it, $489M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved7,265 flood claims paid for it, $489M
- 2005Tropical Storm Cindy$18K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan173 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$107K to the City of Kenner for repairs71 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$350K to the City of Kenner for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$153K to the City of Kenner for repairs260 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Kenner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenner archive →Kenner and its neighbors
Kenner is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Rose | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 814 |
| River Ridge | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,571 |
| Metairie | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 10,726 |
| Kenner | D−more damage than 98% | hurricanes | 11,828 |
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 Kenner 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.
- Kenner residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kenner
Is Kenner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenner has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #153 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11,828 claims in Kenner since 1978, $568M in all, or 423.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 884 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (7,265).
Is Kenner 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 Kenner?
Kenner is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kenner?
By FEMA money that reached Kenner, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 41,862 households applied for aid, $195M approved, and $46.2M to the City of Kenner for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 7,265 paid, $489M.
Is Kenner at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Kenner’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenner’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.