Hebert House · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lake Arthur than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Arthur gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #66 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1985.
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 Lake Arthur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lake Arthur 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 Lake Arthur’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Arthur, and Lake Arthur’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D #66 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Arthur’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, Lake Arthur has less expected damage per building than 60% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Lake Arthur: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Arthur flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Arthur, from FEMA’s records: 29.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms15 claims · $523K
- Hurricane Rita4 claims · $82K
- Hurricane Juan2 claims · $4K
Lake Arthur 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 Davis Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Arthur
Disasters that paid out in Lake Arthur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Arthur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta241 households applied for aid$293K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura682 households applied for aid$579K aid approved$389K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs
- 2017Tropical Storm Harvey$19K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding451 households applied for aid$362K aid approved$90K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$76K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike156 households applied for aid$28K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav263 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,013 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$200K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $82K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina11 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$19K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$16K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs
Jefferson Davis Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson Davis Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Lake Arthur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Arthur archive →Get ready for what Lake Arthur 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 Lake Arthur
Is Lake Arthur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Arthur has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #66 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Arthur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Lake Arthur since 1985, $722K in all, or 29.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% 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 (15).
Is Lake Arthur 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 Davis Parish, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Arthur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Arthur’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 Lake Arthur?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Arthur, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,013 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $200K to the Town of Lake Arthur for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 15 paid, $523K.
Is Lake Arthur at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Lake Arthur’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Arthur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Arthur’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.