Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Patterson than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #99 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (83%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 69 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 Patterson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Patterson 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 Patterson’s grade
Hurricanes are 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Patterson, and Patterson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 12% (lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #99 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Patterson’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, Patterson has more expected damage per building than 61% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Patterson: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Patterson flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Patterson, from FEMA’s records: 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Francine7 claims · $163K
- Tropical Storm Allison6 claims · $58K
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $8K
Patterson 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. Mary Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Patterson
Disasters that paid out in Patterson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Patterson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine1,255 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $163K
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,356 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$83K to the City of Patterson for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta$29K to the City of Patterson for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$29K to the City of Patterson for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$63K to the City of Patterson for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac282 households applied for aid$350K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike246 households applied for aid$698K aid approved$59K to the City of Patterson for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,141 households applied for aid$919K aid approved$109K to the City of Patterson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,045 households applied for aid$614K aid approved$37K to the City of Patterson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina574 households applied for aid$488K aid approved$15K to the City of Patterson for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$10K to the City of Patterson for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $2K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$5K to the City of Patterson for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $58K
St. Mary Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Patterson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Patterson archive →Get ready for what Patterson 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 Patterson
Is Patterson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #99 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (83%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Patterson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Patterson since 1978, $974K in all, or 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Francine (7).
Is Patterson 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. Mary Parish, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Patterson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Patterson’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 Patterson?
By FEMA money that reached Patterson, Hurricane Francine (2024): 1,255 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Francine: 7 paid, $163K.
Is Patterson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Patterson’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Patterson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Patterson’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.