On FEMA’s figures, Waggaman faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waggaman gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #114 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (87%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 245 claims here since 1978.
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 Waggaman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waggaman 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 Waggaman’s grade
Hurricanes are 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waggaman, and Waggaman’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 11% (lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #114 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waggaman’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, Waggaman has more expected damage per building than 70% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Waggaman: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waggaman flood? Yes: 245 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waggaman, from FEMA’s records: 60.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina30 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Ida11 claims · $318K
- Tropical Storm Isidore10 claims · $143K
Waggaman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waggaman
Disasters that paid out in Waggaman itself (aid to households or repair grants to Waggaman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine22 households applied for aid$33K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida566 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved11 flood claims paid for it, $318K
- 2012Hurricane Isaac69 households applied for aid$11K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $65K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav22 households applied for aid$12K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina46 households applied for aid$159K aid approved30 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Waggaman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waggaman archive →Waggaman and its neighbors
Waggaman is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harahan | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 1,469 |
| Waggaman | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 245 |
| River Ridge | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 3,571 |
| Avondale | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | — |
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 Waggaman 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 Waggaman
Is Waggaman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waggaman has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #114 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (87%) and river and rain flooding (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waggaman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 245 claims in Waggaman since 1978, $4.0M in all, or 60.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (30).
Is Waggaman 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waggaman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waggaman’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 Waggaman?
By FEMA money that reached Waggaman, Hurricane Ida (2021): 566 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 30 paid, $1.2M.
Is Waggaman at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Waggaman’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waggaman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waggaman’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.