On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Luling, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luling gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (51%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 220 claims here since 1978.
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 Luling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Luling faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Luling’s grade
Coastal flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Luling, and Luling’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 36%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #161 of 162 in Louisiana; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Luling’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, Luling has more expected damage per building than 99% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.6M a year in losses across Luling: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Luling flood? Yes: 220 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Luling, from FEMA’s records: 39.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida18 claims · $788K
- Hurricane Katrina17 claims · $236K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS15 claims · $507K
Luling 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. Charles Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Luling
Disasters that paid out in Luling itself (aid to households or repair grants to Luling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine243 households applied for aid$444K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $196K
- 2021Hurricane Ida4,872 households applied for aid$8.0M aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $788K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac696 households applied for aid$400K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,487 households applied for aid$326K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,017 households applied for aid$6.5M aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $236K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan59 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
St. Charles Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Luling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Luling archive →Luling and its neighbors
Luling is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Rose | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 814 |
| Ama | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | 20 |
| Hahnville | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | — |
| Destrehan | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 2,055 |
| Boutte | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 242 |
| Luling | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 220 |
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 Luling faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Luling
Is Luling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luling has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (51%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Luling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 220 claims in Luling since 1978, $4.3M in all, or 39.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (18).
Is Luling 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. Charles Parish, 55.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Luling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Luling’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 Luling?
By FEMA money that reached Luling, Hurricane Ida (2021): 4,872 households applied for aid, $8.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 18 paid, $788K.
Is Luling at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Luling’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Luling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Luling’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.