Bank of Ville Platte · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Ville Platte faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ville Platte gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #57 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 72 claims here since 1985.
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 Ville Platte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ville Platte 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
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 Ville Platte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ville Platte, and Ville Platte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 44%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #57 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ville Platte’s residents live in 5 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, Ville Platte has less expected damage per building than 65% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Ville Platte: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ville Platte flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ville Platte, from FEMA’s records: 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms31 claims · $1.0M
- Tropical Storm Barry9 claims · $139K
- Hurricane Juan1 claim · $30K
Ville Platte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Evangeline Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ville Platte
Disasters that paid out in Ville Platte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ville Platte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,050 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$3K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$14K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,658 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$120K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $105
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,262 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$31K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$28K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$61K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
Evangeline Parish has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Evangeline Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Ville Platte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ville Platte archive →Get ready for what Ville Platte 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.
- 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 Ville Platte
Is Ville Platte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ville Platte has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #57 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ville Platte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Ville Platte since 1985, $1.9M in all, or 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (31).
Is Ville Platte 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 Evangeline Parish, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ville Platte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ville Platte’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 Ville Platte?
By FEMA money that reached Ville Platte, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,050 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved, and $3K to the City of Ville Platte for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 31 paid, $1.0M.
Is Ville Platte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Ville Platte’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ville Platte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ville Platte’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.