Photo: jahebert 7 · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Slidell faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Slidell gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #149 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 8,172 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 Slidell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Slidell 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 Slidell’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Slidell, and Slidell’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #149 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Slidell’s residents live in 14 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, Slidell has more expected damage per building than 92% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.9M a year in losses across Slidell: $23.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Slidell flood? Yes: 8,172 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Slidell, from FEMA’s records: 669.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina3,870 claims · $360M
- Tropical Storm Allison669 claims · $12.7M
- Hurricane Isaac594 claims · $23.7M
Slidell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: St. Tammany Parish.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Slidell
Disasters that paid out in Slidell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Slidell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur567 households applied for aid$950K aid approved24 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Francine$164K to the City of Slidell for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida25,917 households applied for aid$24.8M aid approved$5.7M to the City of Slidell for repairs236 flood claims paid for it, $9.6M
- 2020Hurricane Zeta1 households applied for aid$91K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally$58K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2017Tropical Storm Nate$77K to the City of Slidell for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Show all 18
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding321 households applied for aid$535K aid approved$50K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac7,839 households applied for aid$5.9M aid approved$875K to the City of Slidell for repairs594 flood claims paid for it, $23.7M
- 2008Hurricane Ike149 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$255K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav7,142 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$790K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,648 households applied for aid$456K aid approved$6K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina45,902 households applied for aid$242M aid approved$126M to the City of Slidell for repairs3,870 flood claims paid for it, $360M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved3,870 flood claims paid for it, $360M
- 2004Hurricane Ivan59 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$111K to the City of Slidell for repairs78 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$182K to the City of Slidell for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$154K to the City of Slidell for repairs311 flood claims paid for it, $12.2M
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$106K to the City of Slidell for repairs669 flood claims paid for it, $12.7M
St. Tammany Parish has had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Slidell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Slidell archive →Get ready for what Slidell 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.
- Slidell residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Slidell
Is Slidell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Slidell has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #149 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Slidell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8,172 claims in Slidell since 1978, $463M in all, or 669.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1,200 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (3,870).
Is Slidell 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 St. Tammany Parish, 40.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Slidell?
Slidell is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Slidell?
By FEMA money that reached Slidell, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 45,902 households applied for aid, $242M approved, and $126M to the City of Slidell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 3,870 paid, $360M.
Is Slidell at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Slidell’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Slidell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Slidell’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.