Photo: TheLionHasSeen · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Monroe than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #6 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3,469 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 Monroe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Monroe 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Monroe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe, and Monroe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #6 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe’s residents live in 22 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, Monroe has less expected damage per building than 97% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across Monroe: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe flood? Yes: 3,469 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monroe, from FEMA’s records: 160.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms847 claims · $45.2M
- Hurricane Gustav223 claims · $4.9M
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $7K
Monroe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ouachita Parish.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe
Disasters that paid out in Monroe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monroe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$70K to the City of Monroe for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms530 households applied for aid$454K aid approved$163K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2020Hurricane Laura6,126 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$3.4M to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2019Flooding$34K to the City of Monroe for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding8,511 households applied for aid$23.8M aid approved$3.0M to the City of Monroe for repairs870 flood claims paid that year
Show all 15
- 2012Hurricane Isaac1 households applied for aid$111K to the City of Monroe for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$149K to the City of Monroe for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,893 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$565K to the City of Monroe for repairs223 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$56K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$686K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan$2K to the City of Monroe for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$67K to the City of Monroe for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$168K to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$388K to the City of Monroe for repairs
Ouachita Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Monroe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe archive →Monroe and its neighbors
Monroe is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Monroe | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3,469 |
| Richwood | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West Monroe | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 649 |
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 Monroe 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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.
- 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 Monroe
Is Monroe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #6 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monroe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,469 claims in Monroe since 1978, $84.1M in all, or 160.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 546 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (847).
Is Monroe 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 Ouachita Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroe’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 Monroe?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 8,511 households applied for aid, $23.8M approved, and $3.0M to the City of Monroe for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 847 paid, $45.2M.
Is Monroe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Monroe’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe’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.