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Bodock Tree, Rayville, LA IMG 0162Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Rayville · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in Rayville than in 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rayville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #11 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 158 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 50%Tornadoes 16%Earthquakes 10%

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

less than 81%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#11 of 162 in Louisiana
Hazard risk
A−#11 of 162
in Louisiana · lower than 81% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
50% of expected building damage
Flood claims
158
paid since 1979 · $4.2M
Flooded more than once
39
properties · 7 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
9
of 28 declared for Richland Parish

What stands out about Rayville’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.158 paid flood claims since 1979$4.2M in all; 39 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 96% of U.S. towns.Moved out of harm’s way6 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 1 home raised above flood level with FEMA grants.Remembers 201633 flood claims were paid for 2016 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Rayville 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

50%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

16%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts

Earthquakes

10%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

9%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hurricanes Ice storms Cold waves top 2% Lightning Wildfire Winter storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts heat waves at 10% of Rayville’s expected losses. Heat waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Rayville’s grade

River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rayville, and Rayville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Rayville sits
Rayville
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #11 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Rayville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding50%Tornadoes16%Earthquakes10%Everything else24%

The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rayville has less expected damage per building than 94% of Louisiana towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Rayville: $672K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Rayville covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Rayville flood? Yes: 158 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rayville, from FEMA’s records: 104.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 1 claim1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 4 claims1984: 2 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 4 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 5 claims1991: 12 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 1 claim1997: 0 claims1998: 1 claim1999: 13 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 2 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 21 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 25 claims2009: 2 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 1 claim2012: 0 claims2013: 1 claim2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 33 claims2017: 2 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 26 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 2 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200820162020
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Late winter severe storms33 claims · $1.2M
  • Hurricane Delta25 claims · $972K
  • Hurricane Gustav23 claims · $693K
158
paid claims since 1979
$4.2M
paid to owners
39
homes flooded more than once
$27K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (7)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Rayville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Richland Parish.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
6flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
1home raised above flood level
Disasters

9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rayville

Disasters that paid out in Rayville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rayville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2026Severe Winter Storm$366K to the Town of Rayville for repairs
  2. 2021Severe Winter Storms99 households applied for aid$90K aid approved
  3. 2020Hurricane Delta$60K to the Town of Rayville for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $972K
  4. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding909 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$63K to the Town of Rayville for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2008Hurricane Gustav504 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$27K to the Town of Rayville for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $693K
  6. 2006Severe Storms and Flooding330 households applied for aid$880K aid approved$13K to the Town of Rayville for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
  1. 2005Hurricane Katrina$4K to the Town of Rayville for repairs
  2. 2000Severe Winter Storm$24K to the Town of Rayville for repairs
  3. 1998Severe Ice Storm$10K to the Town of Rayville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in RayvilleRichland Parish only

Richland Parish has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.

Were you here?

Old photos of Rayville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Rayville archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Rayville faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
  • Stay away from windows while it falls.
  • Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Rayville

Is Rayville at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rayville has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #11 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Rayville flood?

Flood insurance has paid 158 claims in Rayville since 1979, $4.2M in all, or 104.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (33).

Is Rayville 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 Richland Parish, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.8% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Rayville?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rayville’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 Rayville?

By FEMA money that reached Rayville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 909 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $63K to the Town of Rayville for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 33 paid, $1.2M.

Is Rayville at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Rayville’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rayville.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rayville’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.