First National Bank · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Roads than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Roads gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #15 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 135 claims here since 1979.
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 Roads’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Roads 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
Tornadoes
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 Roads’ grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Roads, and New Roads’ rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #15 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Roads’ residents live in 4 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 Roads has less expected damage per building than 91% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across New Roads: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Roads flood? Yes: 135 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Roads, from FEMA’s records: 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms19 claims · $610K
- Hurricane Gustav9 claims · $303K
New Roads isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pointe Coupee Parish.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Roads
Disasters that paid out in New Roads itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Roads), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur191 households applied for aid$587K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,163 households applied for aid$635K aid approved$52K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$13K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta$83K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$36K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$25K to the City of New Roads for repairs
Show all 14
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding420 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$70K to the City of New Roads for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac131 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$56K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,219 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$1.9M to the City of New Roads for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $303K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$29K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,079 households applied for aid$850K aid approved$39K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding561 households applied for aid$264K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$22K to the City of New Roads for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$862 to the City of New Roads for repairs
Pointe Coupee Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of New Roads after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Roads archive →Get ready for what New Roads 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.
- 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.
- 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 Roads
Is New Roads at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Roads has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #15 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Roads flood?
Flood insurance has paid 135 claims in New Roads since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 59.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (19).
Is New Roads 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 Pointe Coupee Parish, 11.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Roads?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Roads’ 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 Roads?
By FEMA money that reached New Roads, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 1,219 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $1.9M to the City of New Roads for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 19 paid, $610K.
Is New Roads at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and New Roads’ rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Roads.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Roads’ 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.