FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Port Barre as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Barre gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1983.
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 Port Barre 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 Port Barre’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Barre, and Port Barre’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 37% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Barre’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $935K a year in losses across Port Barre: $379K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Barre flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Barre, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms3 claims · $139K
Port Barre isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Landry Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Barre
Disasters that paid out in Port Barre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Port Barre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur40 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta99 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura57 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding174 households applied for aid$212K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav912 households applied for aid$671K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita533 households applied for aid$507K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding88 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Port Barre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Barre archive →Get ready for what Port Barre 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 Port Barre
Is Port Barre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Barre has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Barre flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Port Barre since 1983, $195K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (3).
Is Port Barre 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 St. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Barre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Barre’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 Barre?
By FEMA money that reached Port Barre, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 912 households applied for aid, $671K approved. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 3 paid, $139K.
Is Port Barre at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Port Barre’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Barre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Barre’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.