Adam Ponthieu Store-Big Bend Post Office · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Simmesport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Simmesport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Simmesport 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
Hurricanes
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 Simmesport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Simmesport, and Simmesport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 34%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Simmesport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Simmesport: $551K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Simmesport flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Simmesport, from FEMA’s records: 31.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS3 claims · $252K
- Tropical Storm Barry2 claims · $39K
- Hurricane Rita1 claim · $16K
Simmesport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Avoyelles Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Simmesport
Disasters that paid out in Simmesport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Simmesport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur396 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms19 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding99 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$19K to the Town of Simmesport for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav439 households applied for aid$316K aid approved$194K to the Town of Simmesport for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$13K to the Town of Simmesport for repairs
Avoyelles Parish has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Simmesport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Simmesport archive →Get ready for what Simmesport 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Simmesport
Is Simmesport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Simmesport has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Simmesport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Simmesport since 1979, $484K in all, or 31.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (3).
Is Simmesport 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 Avoyelles Parish, 4.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Simmesport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Simmesport’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 Simmesport?
By FEMA money that reached Simmesport, Tropical Storm Arthur (2026): 396 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 3 paid, $252K.
Is Simmesport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Simmesport’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Simmesport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Simmesport’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.