Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rayne than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rayne gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #82 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 140 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 Rayne’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rayne 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 Rayne’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rayne, and Rayne’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D #82 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rayne’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, Rayne has more expected damage per building than 50% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Rayne: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rayne flood? Yes: 140 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rayne, from FEMA’s records: 45.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms39 claims · $1.9M
- Hurricane Rita9 claims · $93K
- Hurricane Lili1 claim · $690
Rayne is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Acadia Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rayne
Disasters that paid out in Rayne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rayne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta1,159 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$283K to the City of Rayne for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura714 households applied for aid$796K aid approved$67K to the City of Rayne for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $20K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,077 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$29K to the City of Rayne for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the City of Rayne for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike191 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$36K to the City of Rayne for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,123 households applied for aid$513K aid approved$147K to the City of Rayne for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,482 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$135K to the City of Rayne for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina88 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$60K to the City of Rayne for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding221 households applied for aid$248K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$832K to the City of Rayne for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $690
Acadia Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Rayne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rayne archive →Get ready for what Rayne 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.
- Rayne residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Rayne
Is Rayne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rayne has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #82 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rayne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 140 claims in Rayne since 1978, $5.8M in all, or 45.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (39).
Is Rayne 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 Acadia Parish, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rayne?
Rayne is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Rayne?
By FEMA money that reached Rayne, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,482 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $135K to the City of Rayne for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 39 paid, $1.9M.
Is Rayne at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Rayne’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rayne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rayne’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.