FEMA puts Mamou’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mamou gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #58 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 Mamou’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mamou 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 Mamou’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mamou, and Mamou’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #58 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mamou’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, Mamou has less expected damage per building than 65% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Mamou: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mamou flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mamou, from FEMA’s records: 26.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms6 claims · $159K
- Hurricane Juan2 claims · $31K
Mamou isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Evangeline Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mamou
Disasters that paid out in Mamou itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mamou), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding139 households applied for aid$153K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav643 households applied for aid$422K aid approved$64K to the Town of Mamou for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita949 households applied for aid$697K aid approved$176K to the Town of Mamou for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$54K to the Town of Mamou for repairs
Evangeline Parish has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Evangeline Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Mamou after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mamou archive →Get ready for what Mamou 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 Mamou
Is Mamou at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mamou has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #58 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mamou flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Mamou since 1980, $982K in all, or 26.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (6).
Is Mamou 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 Evangeline Parish, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mamou?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mamou’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 Mamou?
By FEMA money that reached Mamou, Hurricane Rita (2005): 949 households applied for aid, $697K approved, and $176K to the Town of Mamou for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 6 paid, $159K.
Is Mamou at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Mamou’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mamou.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mamou’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.