Olive Jeanette · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Lutcher’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lutcher gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #88 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 Lutcher’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lutcher 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 Lutcher’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lutcher, and Lutcher’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #88 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lutcher’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, Lutcher has more expected damage per building than 54% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Lutcher: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lutcher flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lutcher, from FEMA’s records: 35.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $39K
- Hurricane Francine4 claims · $215K
- The Mid-summer severe storms2 claims · $2K
Lutcher is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: St. James Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lutcher
Disasters that paid out in Lutcher itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lutcher), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine348 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$143K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $215K
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,237 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.5M to the Town of Lutcher for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $39K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$57K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac396 households applied for aid$311K aid approved$87K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav599 households applied for aid$491K aid approved$249K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$2K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,086 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$103K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$4K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$16K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$9K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$3K to the Town of Lutcher for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
St. James Parish has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Lutcher after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lutcher archive →Lutcher and its neighbors
Lutcher has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Lutcher 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.
- Lutcher residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lutcher
Is Lutcher at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lutcher has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #88 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lutcher flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Lutcher since 1980, $1.9M in all, or 35.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (6).
Is Lutcher 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. James Parish, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lutcher?
Lutcher is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lutcher?
By FEMA money that reached Lutcher, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,237 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $1.5M to the Town of Lutcher for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 6 paid, $39K.
Is Lutcher at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Lutcher’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lutcher.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lutcher’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.