Photo: Jackx3 at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Plaquemine than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plaquemine gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #67 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims 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 stands out about Plaquemine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Plaquemine 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 Plaquemine’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plaquemine, and Plaquemine’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts).
D #67 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plaquemine’s residents live in 5 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, Plaquemine has less expected damage per building than 59% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Plaquemine: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plaquemine flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plaquemine, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms12 claims · $742K
- Hurricane Katrina5 claims · $109K
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $7K
Plaquemine isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iberville Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plaquemine
Disasters that paid out in Plaquemine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plaquemine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida3,371 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$77K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding249 households applied for aid$523K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding283 households applied for aid$113K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac549 households applied for aid$527K aid approved$573K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav3,476 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$2.3M to the City of Plaquemine for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$221K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,612 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$348K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $109K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding780 households applied for aid$714K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$48K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$3K to the City of Plaquemine for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
Iberville Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Plaquemine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plaquemine archive →Get ready for what Plaquemine 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 Plaquemine
Is Plaquemine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plaquemine has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #67 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plaquemine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Plaquemine since 1982, $937K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms (12).
Is Plaquemine 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 Iberville Parish, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plaquemine?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plaquemine’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 Plaquemine?
By FEMA money that reached Plaquemine, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 3,476 households applied for aid, $5.4M approved, and $2.3M to the City of Plaquemine for repairs. By flood claims, 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms: 12 paid, $742K.
Is Plaquemine at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Plaquemine’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plaquemine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plaquemine’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.