Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Scott than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #79 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 224 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 Scott’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Scott 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 Scott’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scott, and Scott’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
D #79 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scott’s residents live in 10 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, Scott has less expected damage per building than 52% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Scott: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scott flood? Yes: 224 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scott, from FEMA’s records: 55.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms98 claims · $3.7M
- Hurricane Laura5 claims · $126K
- Hurricane Lili4 claims · $26K
Scott is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lafayette Parish.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scott
Disasters that paid out in Scott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida$8K to the City of Scott for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta298 households applied for aid$393K aid approved$510K to the City of Scott for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura12 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$78K to the City of Scott for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $126K
- 2019Hurricane Barry$29K to the City of Scott for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding478 households applied for aid$880K aid approved$105K to the City of Scott for repairs100 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$22K to the City of Scott for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav695 households applied for aid$412K aid approved$213K to the City of Scott for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita851 households applied for aid$634K aid approved$114K to the City of Scott for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina53 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$32K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$185K to the City of Scott for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $26K
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$2K to the City of Scott for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Lafayette Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Scott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scott archive →Scott and its neighbors
Scott 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 224 |
| Lafayette | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 1,913 |
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 Scott 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.
- Scott residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Scott
Is Scott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #79 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 224 claims in Scott since 1979, $5.3M in all, or 55.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (98).
Is Scott 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 Lafayette Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 19.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scott?
Scott is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Scott?
By FEMA money that reached Scott, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 478 households applied for aid, $880K approved, and $105K to the City of Scott for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 98 paid, $3.7M.
Is Scott at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Scott’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scott’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.