FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Prien than in 92% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prien gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #74 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 390 claims here since 1979.
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 Prien’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Prien 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 Prien’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prien, and Prien’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D #74 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prien’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, Prien has less expected damage per building than 55% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Prien: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prien flood? Yes: 390 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prien, from FEMA’s records: 125.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms191 claims · $16.8M
- Hurricane Delta47 claims · $6.4M
- Hurricane Ike40 claims · $4.4M
Prien isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.The storms Prien remembers
None of the 30 disasters declared for Calcasieu Parish shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Prien itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 2021193 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Nicholas, declared for Calcasieu Parish
- 202052 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Zeta, declared for Calcasieu Parish
- 200841 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Ike, declared for Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Prien after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prien archive →Prien and its neighbors
Prien 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prien | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 390 |
| Lake Charles | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 3,560 |
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 Prien 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 Prien
Is Prien at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prien has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #74 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prien flood?
Flood insurance has paid 390 claims in Prien since 1979, $29.8M in all, or 125.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms (191).
Is Prien 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prien?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prien’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 Prien?
By flood claims, 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms: 191 paid, $16.8M.
Is Prien at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Prien’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prien.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prien’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.