Photo: Roman Eugeniusz · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Shreveport’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shreveport gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #36 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then ice storms (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1,556 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 Shreveport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shreveport 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Shreveport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shreveport, and Shreveport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #36 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shreveport’s residents live in 69 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, Shreveport has less expected damage per building than 78% of Louisiana towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Shreveport has lower expected damage per building than 65% (#139 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $70.1M, is the 171th largest of those 400.
Does Shreveport flood? Yes: 1,556 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shreveport, from FEMA’s records: 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms65 claims · $2.5M
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS6 claims · $287K
- The Spring storm6 claims · $170K
Shreveport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Caddo Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shreveport
Disasters that paid out in Shreveport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shreveport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms4,892 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$556K to the City of Shreveport for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura4,210 households applied for aid$4.5M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,075 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$198K to the City of Shreveport for repairs74 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding$272K to the City of Shreveport for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2 households applied for aid$348K to the City of Shreveport for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Rita$534K to the City of Shreveport for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$502K to the City of Shreveport for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1.6M to the City of Shreveport for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$182K to the City of Shreveport for repairs97 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Shreveport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shreveport archive →Shreveport and its neighbors
Shreveport is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Bossier City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Shreveport | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,556 |
| Lakeview | — | 781 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Shreveport 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shreveport residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shreveport
Is Shreveport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shreveport has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #36 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and ice storms (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shreveport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,556 claims in Shreveport since 1978, $27.1M in all, or 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 180 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (65).
Is Shreveport 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 Caddo Parish, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shreveport?
Shreveport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Shreveport?
By FEMA money that reached Shreveport, Hurricane Laura (2020): 4,210 households applied for aid, $4.5M approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 65 paid, $2.5M.
Is Shreveport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Shreveport’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shreveport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shreveport’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.