Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Prairieville than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairieville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #64 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (76%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 259 claims here since 2001.
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 Prairieville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prairieville 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 Prairieville’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prairieville, and Prairieville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 18% (lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
D #64 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prairieville’s residents live in 8 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, Prairieville has less expected damage per building than 61% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.9M a year in losses across Prairieville: $23.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prairieville flood? Yes: 259 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prairieville, from FEMA’s records: 19.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms197 claims · $20.8M
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms36 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Isaac3 claims · $17K
Prairieville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prairieville
Disasters that paid out in Prairieville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Prairieville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine597 households applied for aid$618K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida8,846 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding88 households applied for aid$139K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3,918 households applied for aid$20.7M aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$89K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac517 households applied for aid$359K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $17K
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Gustav3,335 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita712 households applied for aid$565K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,388 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
Its 2 counties have had 45 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Prairieville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prairieville archive →Prairieville and its neighbors
Prairieville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | B−less damage than 51% | hurricanes | 2,140 |
| Prairieville | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 259 |
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 Prairieville 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 Prairieville
Is Prairieville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prairieville has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #64 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (76%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prairieville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 259 claims in Prairieville since 2001, $23.8M in all, or 19.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (197).
Is Prairieville 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 the county, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 28.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prairieville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prairieville’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 Prairieville?
By FEMA money that reached Prairieville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 3,918 households applied for aid, $20.7M approved. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 197 paid, $20.8M.
Is Prairieville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Prairieville’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prairieville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prairieville’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.