Photo: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Sunset faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunset gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #56 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (25%). 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 stands out about Sunset’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sunset 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 Sunset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sunset, and Sunset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #56 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sunset’s residents live in 3 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, Sunset has less expected damage per building than 66% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Sunset: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sunset flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sunset, from FEMA’s records: 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav1 claim · $865
- The Mid-summer severe storms1 claim · $4K
Sunset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Landry Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sunset
Disasters that paid out in Sunset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sunset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur31 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta183 households applied for aid$162K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura135 households applied for aid$199K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding120 households applied for aid$142K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav580 households applied for aid$212K aid approved$98K to the Town of Sunset for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $865
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Rita478 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$9K to the Town of Sunset for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$23K to the Town of Sunset for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding61 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$37K to the Town of Sunset for repairs
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Sunset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sunset archive →Sunset and its neighbors
Sunset has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Grand Coteau | — | 959 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 Sunset 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 Sunset
Is Sunset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sunset has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #56 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sunset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Sunset since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (1).
Is Sunset 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. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sunset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sunset’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 Sunset?
By FEMA money that reached Sunset, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 580 households applied for aid, $212K approved, and $98K to the Town of Sunset for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 1 paid, $865.
Is Sunset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Sunset’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sunset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sunset’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.