Red Chute’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Chute gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #40 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then ice storms (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2012.
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 Red Chute 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Red Chute’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Chute, and Red Chute’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #40 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Chute’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, Red Chute has less expected damage per building than 76% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Red Chute: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Chute flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Chute, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $141K
Red Chute isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bossier Parish.The storms Red Chute remembers
None of the 27 disasters declared for Bossier Parish shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Red Chute itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20121 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Isaac, declared for Bossier Parish
- 20151 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Bossier Parish
- 20161 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Bossier Parish
Bossier Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Red Chute after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Chute archive →Red Chute and its neighbors
Red Chute is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bossier City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Red Chute | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Eastwood | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Red Chute faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Red Chute
Is Red Chute at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Chute has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #40 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and ice storms (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Chute flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Red Chute since 2012, $155K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Red Chute 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 Bossier Parish, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Chute?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Chute’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 Red Chute?
By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $141K.
Is Red Chute at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Red Chute’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Chute.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Chute’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.