On FEMA’s figures, Pine Prairie faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Prairie gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Pine Prairie 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 Pine Prairie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Prairie, and Pine Prairie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 33%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pine Prairie’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $837K a year in losses across Pine Prairie: $345K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Prairie flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Prairie, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pine Prairie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Evangeline Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Prairie
Disasters that paid out in Pine Prairie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pine Prairie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$2K to the Village of Pine Prairie for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav92 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita128 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$26K to the Village of Pine Prairie for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$9K to the Village of Pine Prairie for repairs
Evangeline Parish has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Evangeline Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Pine Prairie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Prairie archive →Get ready for what Pine Prairie 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 Pine Prairie
Is Pine Prairie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Prairie has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pine Prairie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pine Prairie since 1982, $543 in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pine Prairie 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 Evangeline Parish, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pine Prairie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Prairie’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 Pine Prairie?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Prairie, Hurricane Rita (2005): 128 households applied for aid, $63K approved, and $26K to the Village of Pine Prairie for repairs.
Is Pine Prairie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Pine Prairie’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Prairie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Prairie’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.