Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Poydras faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poydras gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 826 claims here since 1978.
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 Poydras’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Poydras 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 Poydras’ grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poydras, and Poydras’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 13% (lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Poydras’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Poydras: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poydras flood? Yes: 826 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poydras, from FEMA’s records: 826.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina737 claims · $97.2M
- Tropical Storm Isidore6 claims · $71K
- Hurricane Ida5 claims · $165K
Poydras 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. Bernard Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poydras
Disasters that paid out in Poydras itself (aid to households or repair grants to Poydras), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida34 households applied for aid$66K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $165K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina9 households applied for aid$138K aid approved737 flood claims paid for it, $97.2M
St. Bernard Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Poydras after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poydras archive →Poydras and its neighbors
Poydras 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poydras | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 826 |
| Violet | Dmore damage than 95% | hurricanes | — |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
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 Poydras 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 Poydras
Is Poydras at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poydras has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Poydras flood?
Flood insurance has paid 826 claims in Poydras since 1978, $98.8M in all, or 826.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (737).
Is Poydras 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. Bernard Parish, 56.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Poydras?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poydras’ 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 Poydras?
By FEMA money that reached Poydras, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 9 households applied for aid, $138K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 737 paid, $97.2M.
Is Poydras at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Poydras’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poydras.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poydras’ 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.