Photo: Hot Furnace · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Kinder’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kinder gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1980.
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 Kinder’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kinder 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 Kinder’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kinder, and Kinder’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kinder’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Kinder: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kinder flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kinder, from FEMA’s records: 31.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Rita4 claims · $203K
- Hurricane Delta4 claims · $136K
- The Mid-summer severe storms2 claims · $55K
Kinder isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kinder
Disasters that paid out in Kinder itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kinder), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta187 households applied for aid$261K aid approved$5K to the Town of Kinder for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $136K
- 2020Hurricane Laura2,059 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$2.3M to the Town of Kinder for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike82 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav555 households applied for aid$125K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$118K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,792 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$494K to the Town of Kinder for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $203K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$19K to the Town of Kinder for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$11K to the Town of Kinder for repairs
Allen Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Allen Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Kinder after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kinder archive →Get ready for what Kinder 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 Kinder
Is Kinder at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kinder has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kinder flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Kinder since 1980, $693K in all, or 31.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Rita (4).
Is Kinder 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 Allen Parish, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kinder?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kinder’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 Kinder?
By FEMA money that reached Kinder, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,792 households applied for aid, $4.1M approved, and $494K to the Town of Kinder for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Rita: 4 paid, $203K.
Is Kinder at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Kinder’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kinder.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kinder’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.