Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts West Monroe’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Monroe gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #12 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 649 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 West Monroe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Monroe 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 West Monroe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Monroe, and West Monroe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #12 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Monroe’s residents live in 9 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, West Monroe has less expected damage per building than 93% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across West Monroe: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Monroe flood? Yes: 649 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Monroe, from FEMA’s records: 109.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms105 claims · $7.6M
- Hurricane Gustav17 claims · $740K
- Hurricane Zeta1 claim · $203
West Monroe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ouachita Parish.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Monroe
Disasters that paid out in West Monroe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Monroe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$2.1M to the City of West Monroe for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms107 households applied for aid$93K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Laura2,225 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$500K to the City of West Monroe for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $787
- 2019Flooding$35K to the City of West Monroe for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,671 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$696K to the City of West Monroe for repairs106 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$24K to the City of West Monroe for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Gustav254 households applied for aid$377K aid approved$481K to the City of West Monroe for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $740K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$95K to the City of West Monroe for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$20K to the City of West Monroe for repairs
- 2002Hurricane Lili$34K to the City of West Monroe for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$145K to the City of West Monroe for repairs
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$1K to the City of West Monroe for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Ouachita Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of West Monroe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Monroe archive →West Monroe and its neighbors
West Monroe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3,469 |
| West Monroe | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 649 |
| Brownsville | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Claiborne | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 West Monroe 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 West Monroe
Is West Monroe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Monroe has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #12 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Monroe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 649 claims in West Monroe since 1978, $19.0M in all, or 109.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 110 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (105).
Is West Monroe 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 Ouachita Parish, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Monroe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Monroe’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 West Monroe?
By FEMA money that reached West Monroe, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1,671 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $696K to the City of West Monroe for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 105 paid, $7.6M.
Is West Monroe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and West Monroe’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Monroe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Monroe’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.