Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Vinton faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #63 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1990.
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 Vinton 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 Vinton’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vinton, and Vinton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
D #63 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vinton’s residents live in 2 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, Vinton has less expected damage per building than 61% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Vinton: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vinton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vinton, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Laura2 claims · $103K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $828
Vinton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vinton
Disasters that paid out in Vinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms28 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta403 households applied for aid$511K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura2,467 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$4.6M to the Town of Vinton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $103K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding329 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike836 households applied for aid$367K aid approved$60K to the Town of Vinton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav465 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$7K to the Town of Vinton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,391 households applied for aid$9.0M aid approved$5.3M to the Town of Vinton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina27 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$6K to the Town of Vinton for repairs
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Vinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vinton archive →Get ready for what Vinton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vinton
Is Vinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vinton has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #63 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Vinton since 1990, $200K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Laura (2).
Is Vinton 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vinton’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 Vinton?
By FEMA money that reached Vinton, Hurricane Rita (2005): 3,391 households applied for aid, $9.0M approved, and $5.3M to the Town of Vinton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Laura: 2 paid, $103K.
Is Vinton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Vinton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vinton’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.