FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Norco than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norco gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #110 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 717 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 Norco’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norco 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 Norco’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norco, and Norco’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #110 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norco’s residents live in 2 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, Norco has more expected damage per building than 68% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Norco: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norco flood? Yes: 717 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norco, from FEMA’s records: 526.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida168 claims · $11.2M
- Hurricane Francine75 claims · $4.4M
- Hurricane Katrina17 claims · $309K
Norco isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Charles Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norco
Disasters that paid out in Norco itself (aid to households or repair grants to Norco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine81 households applied for aid$98K aid approved75 flood claims paid for it, $4.4M
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,209 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved168 flood claims paid for it, $11.2M
- 2012Hurricane Isaac187 households applied for aid$90K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav345 households applied for aid$40K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,412 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved17 flood claims paid for it, $309K
St. Charles Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Norco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norco archive →Norco and its neighbors
Norco is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Norco 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 Norco
Is Norco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norco has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #110 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norco flood?
Flood insurance has paid 717 claims in Norco since 1978, $27.0M in all, or 526.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (168).
Is Norco 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 St. Charles Parish, 55.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Norco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norco’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 Norco?
By FEMA money that reached Norco, Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,209 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 168 paid, $11.2M.
Is Norco at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Norco’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norco’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.