On FEMA’s figures, Lawtell faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawtell gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Lawtell 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
Tornadoes
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 Lawtell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawtell, and Lawtell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawtell’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $589K a year in losses across Lawtell: $334K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawtell flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lawtell. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lawtell 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. Landry Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lawtell
Disasters that paid out in Lawtell itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lawtell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura13 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav88 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita115 households applied for aid$137K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Lawtell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawtell archive →Get ready for what Lawtell 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lawtell
Is Lawtell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawtell has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lawtell 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. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lawtell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawtell’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 Lawtell?
By FEMA money that reached Lawtell, Hurricane Rita (2005): 115 households applied for aid, $137K approved.
Is Lawtell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lawtell’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawtell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawtell’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.