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Exchange Bank Main OfficePhoto: Wikilester1999 · CC BY-SA 4.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Natchitoches · FEMA

FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Natchitoches than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Natchitoches gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #13 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 59%Tornadoes 14%Strong wind 8%

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

less than 80%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#13 of 162 in Louisiana
Hazard risk
A−#13 of 162
in Louisiana · lower than 80% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
59% of expected building damage
Flood claims
44
paid since 1979 · $984K
Flooded more than once
4
properties · 1 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
8
of 29 declared for Natchitoches Parish

What stands out about Natchitoches’ natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 80% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Moved out of harm’s way2 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 201610 flood claims were paid for 2016 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Natchitoches 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

59%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

14%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts

Strong wind

8%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

6%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 17 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Ice storms Winter storms Lightning Cold waves Wildfire Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts heat waves at 14% of Natchitoches’ expected losses. Heat waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Natchitoches’ grade

River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Natchitoches, and Natchitoches’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Natchitoches sits
Natchitoches
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #13 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Natchitoches’ residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding59%Tornadoes14%Strong wind8%Everything else19%

The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Natchitoches has less expected damage per building than 93% of Louisiana towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Natchitoches: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Laura in 2020, FEMA took 3,257 aid registrations from Natchitoches addresses (the town has 8,284 homes).
A firm figure. It combines 7 census tracts by where Natchitoches’ residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Natchitoches flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Natchitoches, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 1 claim1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 4 claims1983: 1 claim1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 1 claim1988: 0 claims1989: 7 claims1990: 1 claim1991: 1 claim1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 1 claim1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 1 claim1999: 5 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 1 claim2002: 0 claims2003: 1 claim2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 2 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 1 claim2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 3 claims2013: 1 claim2014: 0 claims2015: 2 claims2016: 10 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198919992016
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Late winter severe storms10 claims · $554K
  • The Spring storm1 claim · $2K
44
paid claims since 1979
$984K
paid to owners
4
homes flooded more than once
$22K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (1)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Natchitoches isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Natchitoches Parish.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
2flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Natchitoches

Disasters that paid out in Natchitoches itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Natchitoches), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
  2. 2021Severe Winter Storms126 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$209K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs
  3. 2020Hurricane Laura3,257 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$2.1M to the City of Natchitoches for repairs
  4. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding868 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$68K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2008Hurricane Gustav1 households applied for aid$169K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  6. 2006Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$3K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
  1. 2005Hurricane Rita$480K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs
  2. 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$7K to the City of Natchitoches for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in NatchitochesNatchitoches Parish only

Natchitoches Parish has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.

Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Natchitoches Parish, 2000–2000.

Were you here?

Old photos of Natchitoches after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Natchitoches archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Natchitoches faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
High winds
  • Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
  • Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
  • Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Natchitoches

Is Natchitoches at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Natchitoches has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #13 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Natchitoches flood?

Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Natchitoches since 1979, $984K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% 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 (10).

Is Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches Parish, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Natchitoches?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Natchitoches’ 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 Natchitoches?

By FEMA money that reached Natchitoches, Hurricane Laura (2020): 3,257 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $2.1M to the City of Natchitoches for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 10 paid, $554K.

Is Natchitoches at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Natchitoches’ rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Natchitoches.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Natchitoches’ 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.