FEMA puts Merrydale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merrydale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #80 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 790 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 Merrydale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Merrydale 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 Merrydale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Merrydale, and Merrydale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 17% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #80 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Merrydale’s residents live in 3 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, Merrydale has less expected damage per building than 51% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Merrydale: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Merrydale flood? Yes: 790 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Merrydale, from FEMA’s records: 209.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms229 claims · $27.3M
- Tropical Storm Allison126 claims · $5.2M
- Hurricane Gustav56 claims · $2.3M
Merrydale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: East Baton Rouge Parish.The storms Merrydale remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for East Baton Rouge Parish shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Merrydale itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 2016239 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for East Baton Rouge Parish
- 2001127 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Allison, declared for East Baton Rouge Parish
- 198398 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for East Baton Rouge Parish
East Baton Rouge Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Merrydale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Merrydale archive →Merrydale and its neighbors
Merrydale is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5,396 |
| Merrydale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 790 |
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 Merrydale 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 Merrydale
Is Merrydale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Merrydale has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #80 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Merrydale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 790 claims in Merrydale since 1978, $41.3M in all, or 209.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (229).
Is Merrydale 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 East Baton Rouge Parish, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Merrydale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Merrydale’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 Merrydale?
By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 229 paid, $27.3M.
Is Merrydale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Merrydale’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Merrydale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Merrydale’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.