Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake Providence’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Providence gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #31 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (27%), then tornadoes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Lake Providence 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Providence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 27% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Providence, and Lake Providence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #31 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Providence’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 Providence has less expected damage per building than 81% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Lake Providence: $745K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Providence flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Providence, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms4 claims · $132K
- Hurricane Gustav1 claim · $124K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $5K
Lake Providence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: East Carroll Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Providence
Disasters that paid out in Lake Providence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Providence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$753K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding473 households applied for aid$331K aid approved$21K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav711 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$35K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $124K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$5K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$3K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs
East Carroll Parish has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Lake Providence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Providence archive →Get ready for what Lake Providence 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Providence
Is Lake Providence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Providence has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #31 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (27%) and tornadoes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Providence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Lake Providence since 1979, $368K in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (4).
Is Lake Providence 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 East Carroll Parish, 5.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Providence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Providence’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 Providence?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Providence, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 711 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $35K to the Town of Lake Providence for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 4 paid, $132K.
Is Lake Providence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (27%), and Lake Providence’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Providence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Providence’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.