Photo: Smh2536 at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Pineville faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pineville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #1 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 193 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 Pineville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pineville 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
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 Pineville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pineville, and Pineville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 33% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A #1 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pineville’s residents live in 9 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, Pineville has less expected damage per building than 100% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Pineville: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pineville flood? Yes: 193 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pineville, from FEMA’s records: 27.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav29 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Delta21 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Lili4 claims · $93K
Pineville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rapides Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pineville
Disasters that paid out in Pineville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pineville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms126 households applied for aid$85K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Delta263 households applied for aid$437K aid approved$19K to the City of Pineville for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2020Hurricane Laura3,858 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Pineville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding201 households applied for aid$590K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the City of Pineville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,205 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$435K to the City of Pineville for repairs29 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita2 households applied for aid$85K to the City of Pineville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$28K to the City of Pineville for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $93K
Rapides Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Rapides Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Pineville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pineville archive →Pineville and its neighbors
Pineville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineville | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 193 |
| Alexandria | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,224 |
| Ball | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Pineville 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.
- 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 Pineville
Is Pineville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pineville has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pineville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 193 claims in Pineville since 1979, $4.6M in all, or 27.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (29).
Is Pineville 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 Rapides Parish, 5.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pineville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pineville’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 Pineville?
By FEMA money that reached Pineville, Hurricane Laura (2020): 3,858 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Pineville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 29 paid, $1.3M.
Is Pineville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Pineville’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pineville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pineville’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.