FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Walker than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walker gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #153 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 534 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 Walker’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Walker 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 Walker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walker, and Walker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 41%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #153 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walker’s residents live in 6 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, Walker has more expected damage per building than 94% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.8M a year in losses across Walker: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walker flood? Yes: 534 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walker, from FEMA’s records: 212.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms421 claims · $47.3M
- Hurricane Isaac22 claims · $615K
- Tropical Storm Allison8 claims · $53K
Walker is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Livingston Parish.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walker
Disasters that paid out in Walker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Walker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine$20K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2021Hurricane Ida5,404 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$406K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$24K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta$11K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally$10K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$16K to the Town of Walker for repairs
Show all 17
- 2019Hurricane Barry$32K to the Town of Walker for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2,866 households applied for aid$12.2M aid approved$799K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding63 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$9K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac581 households applied for aid$604K aid approved$135K to the Town of Walker for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $615K
- 2008Hurricane Ike24 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,524 households applied for aid$843K aid approved$1.5M to the Town of Walker for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2005Hurricane Rita193 households applied for aid$145K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2,589 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$75K to the Town of Walker for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding73 households applied for aid$44K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$13K to the Town of Walker for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $53K
Livingston Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Walker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walker archive →Get ready for what Walker 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.
- Walker residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Walker
Is Walker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walker has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #153 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 534 claims in Walker since 1979, $49.4M in all, or 212.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (421).
Is Walker 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 Livingston Parish, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 26.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Walker?
Walker is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Walker?
By FEMA money that reached Walker, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 2,866 households applied for aid, $12.2M approved, and $799K to the Town of Walker for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 421 paid, $47.3M.
Is Walker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Walker’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walker’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.