Rosedown Plantation · Photo: Brandonrush · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, St. Francisville faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francisville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 63 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 St. Francisville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. Francisville 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 St. Francisville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Francisville, and St. Francisville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 29% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Francisville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across St. Francisville: $908K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Francisville flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Francisville, from FEMA’s records: 77.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms3 claims · $123K
St. Francisville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: West Feliciana Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Francisville
Disasters that paid out in St. Francisville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of St. Francisville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida1,217 households applied for aid$629K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding321 households applied for aid$722K aid approved$89K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac152 households applied for aid$107K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,034 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$97K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina585 households applied for aid$427K aid approved$9K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2002Hurricane Lili$3K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$4K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs
West Feliciana Parish has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of St. Francisville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Francisville archive →Get ready for what St. Francisville 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 St. Francisville
Is St. Francisville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francisville has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Francisville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in St. Francisville since 1979, $517K in all, or 77.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (3).
Is St. Francisville 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 West Feliciana Parish, 2.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Francisville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Francisville’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 St. Francisville?
By FEMA money that reached St. Francisville, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 1,034 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $97K to the Town of St. Francisville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 3 paid, $123K.
Is St. Francisville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and St. Francisville’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Francisville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Francisville’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.