Photo: Arthur Belala, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domainFEMA puts Larose’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larose gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (85%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 250 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 Larose’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Larose 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 Larose’s grade
Hurricanes are 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Larose, and Larose’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 12% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #128 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Larose’s residents live in 4 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, Larose has more expected damage per building than 79% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Larose: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Larose flood? Yes: 250 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Larose, from FEMA’s records: 97.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Juan97 claims · $1.8M
- Hurricane Ida92 claims · $5.9M
- Hurricane Katrina10 claims · $249K
Larose isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lafourche Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Larose
Disasters that paid out in Larose itself (aid to households or repair grants to Larose), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur37 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Francine184 households applied for aid$308K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida2,406 households applied for aid$11.8M aid approved92 flood claims paid for it, $5.9M
- 2020Hurricane Zeta55 households applied for aid$78K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac366 households applied for aid$285K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $123K
- 2008Hurricane Ike69 households applied for aid$114K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $49K
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Gustav973 households applied for aid$658K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita51 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina345 households applied for aid$526K aid approved10 flood claims paid for it, $249K
Lafourche Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Larose after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Larose archive →Larose and its neighbors
Larose is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Off | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
| Larose | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 250 |
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 Larose 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 Larose
Is Larose at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larose has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (85%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Larose flood?
Flood insurance has paid 250 claims in Larose since 1980, $8.6M in all, or 97.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Juan (97).
Is Larose 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 Lafourche Parish, 23.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Larose?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Larose’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 Larose?
By FEMA money that reached Larose, Hurricane Ida (2021): 2,406 households applied for aid, $11.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Juan: 97 paid, $1.8M.
Is Larose at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Larose’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Larose.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Larose’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.