Photo: Robert Jones · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Watson faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watson gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (45%). 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 Watson 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 Watson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watson, and Watson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 45%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watson’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Watson: $916K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Watson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Watson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Livingston Parish.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watson
Disasters that paid out in Watson itself (aid to households or repair grants to Watson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina20 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Livingston Parish has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Watson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watson archive →Get ready for what Watson 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 Watson
Is Watson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watson has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Watson 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 Watson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watson’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 Watson?
By FEMA money that reached Watson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 6 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Watson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Watson’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watson’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.