Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Minden’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minden gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #41 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then ice storms (18%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Minden 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
Ice storms
Hail
Strong wind
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 Minden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minden, and Minden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #41 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minden’s residents live in 6 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, Minden has less expected damage per building than 75% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Minden: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minden flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minden, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms12 claims · $563K
Minden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Webster Parish.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minden
Disasters that paid out in Minden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Minden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$25K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2021Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms101 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$4K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$228K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding471 households applied for aid$546K aid approved$251K to the City of Minden for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$91K to the City of Minden for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$84K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$35K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$93K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$43K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$176K to the City of Minden for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$43K to the City of Minden for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$37K to the City of Minden for repairs
Webster Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Minden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minden archive →Minden and its neighbors
Minden has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Dixie Inn | — | 300 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Minden 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Minden
Is Minden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minden has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #41 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and ice storms (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Minden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Minden since 1978, $798K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (12).
Is Minden 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 Webster Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minden’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 Minden?
By FEMA money that reached Minden, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 471 households applied for aid, $546K approved, and $251K to the City of Minden for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 12 paid, $563K.
Is Minden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Minden’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minden’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.