Bosco Plantation House · Photo: Rswood · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Richwood faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richwood gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #7 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2014.
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 Richwood 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Richwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richwood, and Richwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #7 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richwood’s residents live in 4 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, Richwood has less expected damage per building than 96% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $874K a year in losses across Richwood: $257K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richwood flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richwood, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms2 claims · $85K
Richwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ouachita Parish.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richwood
Disasters that paid out in Richwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Richwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$51K to the Town of Richwood for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura12 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Richwood for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav13 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$12K to the Town of Richwood for repairs
Ouachita Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Richwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richwood archive →Richwood and its neighbors
Richwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3,469 |
| Richwood | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Richwood 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Richwood
Is Richwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richwood has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #7 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Richwood since 2014, $90K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (2).
Is Richwood 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 Ouachita Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richwood’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 Richwood?
By FEMA money that reached Richwood, Severe Winter Storm (2026): $51K to the Town of Richwood for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 2 paid, $85K.
Is Richwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Richwood’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richwood’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.