Photo: BSwank · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lacombe than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lacombe gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #157 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 1,206 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 Lacombe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lacombe 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 Lacombe’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lacombe, and Lacombe’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 35%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #157 of 162 in Louisiana; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lacombe’s residents live in 3 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, Lacombe has more expected damage per building than 97% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Lacombe: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lacombe flood? Yes: 1,206 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lacombe, from FEMA’s records: 385.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina411 claims · $27.5M
- Hurricane Isaac185 claims · $5.5M
- Tropical Storm Isidore145 claims · $2.6M
Lacombe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Tammany Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lacombe
Disasters that paid out in Lacombe itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lacombe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur167 households applied for aid$969K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida3,378 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved127 flood claims paid for it, $3.7M
- 2020Hurricane Delta1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1,074 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved185 flood claims paid for it, $5.5M
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike69 households applied for aid$121K aid approved55 flood claims paid for it, $878K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,165 households applied for aid$524K aid approved42 flood claims paid for it, $761K
- 2005Hurricane Rita243 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,175 households applied for aid$20.7M aid approved411 flood claims paid for it, $27.5M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved25 flood claims paid that year
St. Tammany Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Lacombe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lacombe archive →Get ready for what Lacombe 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 Lacombe
Is Lacombe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lacombe has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #157 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lacombe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,206 claims in Lacombe since 1979, $44.6M in all, or 385.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (411).
Is Lacombe 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 St. Tammany Parish, 40.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lacombe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lacombe’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 Lacombe?
By FEMA money that reached Lacombe, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 5,175 households applied for aid, $20.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 411 paid, $27.5M.
Is Lacombe at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Lacombe’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lacombe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lacombe’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.