Photo: Hot Furnace · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Oakdale than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakdale gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #55 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 243 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 Oakdale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oakdale 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
Hurricanes
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 Oakdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakdale, and Oakdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #55 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakdale’s 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, Oakdale has less expected damage per building than 66% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Oakdale: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakdale flood? Yes: 243 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakdale, from FEMA’s records: 93.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Delta27 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Juan8 claims · $74K
- The Late winter severe storms5 claims · $274K
Oakdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allen Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakdale
Disasters that paid out in Oakdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oakdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta289 households applied for aid$637K aid approved27 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2020Hurricane Laura1,865 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Oakdale for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding82 households applied for aid$394K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac32 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$8K to the City of Oakdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike47 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$23K to the City of Oakdale for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav684 households applied for aid$489K aid approved$27K to the City of Oakdale for repairs
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$12K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,680 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$142K to the City of Oakdale for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$21K to the City of Oakdale for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$30K to the City of Oakdale for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Allen Parish has had 27 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 Allen Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Oakdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakdale archive →Get ready for what Oakdale 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.
- 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.
- 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 Oakdale
Is Oakdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakdale has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #55 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 243 claims in Oakdale since 1979, $6.7M in all, or 93.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Delta (27).
Is Oakdale 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 Allen Parish, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oakdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakdale’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 Oakdale?
By FEMA money that reached Oakdale, Hurricane Laura (2020): 1,865 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Oakdale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Delta: 27 paid, $2.0M.
Is Oakdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Oakdale’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakdale’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.