Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Welsh than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Welsh gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #119 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1980.
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 Welsh’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Welsh 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 Welsh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Welsh, and Welsh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 37%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #119 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Welsh’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Welsh has more expected damage per building than 73% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Welsh: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Welsh flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Welsh, from FEMA’s records: 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms22 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Delta2 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Juan1 claim · $841
Welsh 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 Davis Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Welsh
Disasters that paid out in Welsh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Welsh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Delta321 households applied for aid$312K aid approved$77K to the Town of Welsh for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2020Hurricane Laura1,399 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Welsh for repairs
- 2017Tropical Storm Harvey$3K to the Town of Welsh for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding238 households applied for aid$288K aid approved$28K to the Town of Welsh for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike194 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$71K to the Town of Welsh for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav405 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$43K to the Town of Welsh for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,381 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$984K to the Town of Welsh for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina17 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$63K to the Town of Welsh for repairs
Jefferson Davis Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson Davis Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Welsh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Welsh archive →Get ready for what Welsh 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 Welsh
Is Welsh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Welsh has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #119 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (37%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Welsh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Welsh since 1980, $2.1M in all, or 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (22).
Is Welsh 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 Davis Parish, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Welsh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Welsh’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 Welsh?
By FEMA money that reached Welsh, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,381 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $984K to the Town of Welsh for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 22 paid, $1.2M.
Is Welsh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Welsh’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Welsh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Welsh’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.