Parlange Plantation House · Photo: Richard Koch, Photographer · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Ventress than in 70% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ventress gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Ventress 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
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 Ventress’ grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ventress, and Ventress’ rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ventress’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $557K a year in losses across Ventress: $224K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ventress flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ventress. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ventress isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pointe Coupee Parish.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ventress
Disasters that paid out in Ventress itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ventress), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur19 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida393 households applied for aid$157K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding151 households applied for aid$222K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav336 households applied for aid$311K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina97 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Pointe Coupee Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Ventress after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ventress archive →Get ready for what Ventress 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.
- 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 Ventress
Is Ventress at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ventress has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ventress 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 Pointe Coupee Parish, 11.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ventress?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ventress’ 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 Ventress?
By FEMA money that reached Ventress, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 336 households applied for aid, $311K approved.
Is Ventress at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Ventress’ rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ventress.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ventress’ 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.