Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Billy Hathorn assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Plain Dealing
Plain Dealing isn’t graded for hazard risk: Plain Dealing has 929 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1997.
What Plain Dealing 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Hail
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.
Does Plain Dealing flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plain Dealing, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late winter severe storms3 claims · $74K
Plain Dealing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bossier Parish.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plain Dealing
Disasters that paid out in Plain Dealing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plain Dealing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms25 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$54K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Bossier Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Plain Dealing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plain Dealing archive →Get ready for what Plain Dealing 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Plain Dealing
Does Plain Dealing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Plain Dealing since 1997, $184K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (3).
Is Plain Dealing 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 Bossier Parish, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plain Dealing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plain Dealing’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 Plain Dealing?
By FEMA money that reached Plain Dealing, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 36 households applied for aid, $54K approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 3 paid, $74K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plain Dealing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plain Dealing’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.