Photo: Robert Jones · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Livingston than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1983.
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 Livingston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Livingston 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
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 Livingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livingston, and Livingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Livingston’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Livingston: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livingston flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livingston, from FEMA’s records: 67.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms28 claims · $1.8M
- Hurricane Isaac5 claims · $44K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $2K
Livingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Livingston Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livingston
Disasters that paid out in Livingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Livingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida3,458 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$773K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$12K to the Town of Livingston for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,596 households applied for aid$10.0M aid approved$58K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding80 households applied for aid$115K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac539 households applied for aid$734K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $44K
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike15 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav861 households applied for aid$622K aid approved$236K to the Town of Livingston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2005Hurricane Rita159 households applied for aid$94K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,697 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$39K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Livingston Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Livingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livingston archive →Get ready for what Livingston 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.
- 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 Livingston
Is Livingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Livingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Livingston since 1983, $2.3M in all, or 67.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (28).
Is Livingston 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 Livingston Parish, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 26.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Livingston’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 Livingston?
By FEMA money that reached Livingston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,596 households applied for aid, $10.0M approved, and $58K to the Town of Livingston for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 28 paid, $1.8M.
Is Livingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Livingston’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livingston’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.