Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts New Iberia’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Iberia gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 492 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 New Iberia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Iberia 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 New Iberia’s grade
Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Iberia, and New Iberia’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #128 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Iberia’s residents live in 13 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, New Iberia has more expected damage per building than 79% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.1M a year in losses across New Iberia: $18.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Iberia flood? Yes: 492 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Iberia, from FEMA’s records: 36.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms80 claims · $3.6M
- Hurricane Ike36 claims · $881K
- Hurricane Rita18 claims · $1.0M
New Iberia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iberia Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Iberia
Disasters that paid out in New Iberia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Iberia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida7,953 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$44K to the City of New Iberia for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Delta889 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$550K to the City of New Iberia for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura5 households applied for aid$449 aid approved$196K to the City of New Iberia for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$527K to the City of New Iberia for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3,692 households applied for aid$6.0M aid approved$100K to the City of New Iberia for repairs81 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$19K to the City of New Iberia for repairs
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,589 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$645K to the City of New Iberia for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $881K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav7,361 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$943K to the City of New Iberia for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $288K
- 2005Hurricane Rita11,912 households applied for aid$17.8M aid approved$427K to the City of New Iberia for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina883 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$41K to the City of New Iberia for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$1.2M to the City of New Iberia for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $68K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$19K to the City of New Iberia for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $33K
Iberia Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of New Iberia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Iberia archive →Get ready for what New Iberia 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 New Iberia
Is New Iberia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Iberia has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #128 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Iberia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 492 claims in New Iberia since 1978, $11.3M in all, or 36.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 59 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (80).
Is New Iberia 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 Iberia Parish, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Iberia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Iberia’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 New Iberia?
By FEMA money that reached New Iberia, Hurricane Rita (2005): 11,912 households applied for aid, $17.8M approved, and $427K to the City of New Iberia for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 80 paid, $3.6M.
Is New Iberia at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and New Iberia’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Iberia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Iberia’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.