Photo: Public domain · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Port Allen faces less hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Allen gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #28 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1980.
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 Port Allen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Allen 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
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 Port Allen’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Allen, and Port Allen’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts).
B #28 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Allen’s residents live in 3 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, Port Allen has less expected damage per building than 83% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Port Allen: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Allen flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Allen, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $32K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $61K
Port Allen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: West Baton Rouge Parish.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Allen
Disasters that paid out in Port Allen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Allen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida2,425 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura8 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding238 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$26K to the City of Port Allen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac311 households applied for aid$248K aid approved$46K to the City of Port Allen for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,117 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$199K to the City of Port Allen for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita527 households applied for aid$332K aid approved$11K to the City of Port Allen for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,464 households applied for aid$926K aid approved$70K to the City of Port Allen for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding367 households applied for aid$172K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$7K to the City of Port Allen for repairs
West Baton Rouge Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Port Allen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Allen archive →Port Allen and its neighbors
Port Allen has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Allen | Bless damage than 61% | hurricanes | 28 |
| Baton Rouge | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5,396 |
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 Port Allen 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.
- 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 Port Allen
Is Port Allen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Allen has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #28 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Allen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Port Allen since 1980, $557K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (1).
Is Port Allen 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 West Baton Rouge Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Allen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Allen’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 Port Allen?
By FEMA money that reached Port Allen, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 2,117 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $199K to the City of Port Allen for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 1 paid, $32K.
Is Port Allen at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Port Allen’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Allen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Allen’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.