Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Marrero than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marrero gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #121 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (85%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6,057 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 Marrero’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marrero 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 Marrero’s grade
Hurricanes are 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marrero, and Marrero’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #121 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marrero’s residents live in 10 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, Marrero has more expected damage per building than 75% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.1M a year in losses across Marrero: $17.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marrero flood? Yes: 6,057 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marrero, from FEMA’s records: 435.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina870 claims · $43.2M
- Hurricane Juan80 claims · $1.2M
- Tropical Storm Isidore48 claims · $332K
Marrero isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marrero
Disasters that paid out in Marrero itself (aid to households or repair grants to Marrero), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine888 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida21,676 households applied for aid$34.7M aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $301K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta911 households applied for aid$701K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac9,163 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved29 flood claims paid for it, $193K
- 2008Hurricane Ike551 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav10,603 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,704 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina33,243 households applied for aid$134M aid approved870 flood claims paid for it, $43.2M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan155 households applied for aid$69K aid approved24 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Marrero after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marrero archive →Marrero and its neighbors
Marrero has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrero | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 6,057 |
| Westwego | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 982 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
| Estelle | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 21 |
| Harvey | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,472 |
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 Marrero 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Marrero
Is Marrero at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marrero has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #121 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (85%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marrero flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6,057 claims in Marrero since 1978, $85.3M in all, or 435.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (870).
Is Marrero 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Marrero?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marrero’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 Marrero?
By FEMA money that reached Marrero, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 33,243 households applied for aid, $134M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 870 paid, $43.2M.
Is Marrero at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Marrero’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marrero.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marrero’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.