Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Winnsboro than in 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnsboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #18 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1982.
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 Winnsboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Winnsboro 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Hail
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 Winnsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winnsboro, and Winnsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #18 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winnsboro’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, Winnsboro has less expected damage per building than 89% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Winnsboro: $963K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winnsboro flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winnsboro, from FEMA’s records: 28.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav30 claims · $886K
Winnsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winnsboro
Disasters that paid out in Winnsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winnsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms48 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding122 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$1K to the City of Winnsboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1,035 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$16K to the City of Winnsboro for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $886K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding250 households applied for aid$361K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$6K to the City of Winnsboro for repairs
Franklin Parish has had 33 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Winnsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winnsboro archive →Get ready for what Winnsboro 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Winnsboro
Is Winnsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnsboro has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #18 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winnsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Winnsboro since 1982, $1.2M in all, or 28.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (30).
Is Winnsboro 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 Franklin Parish, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winnsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winnsboro’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 Winnsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Winnsboro, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 1,035 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $16K to the City of Winnsboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 30 paid, $886K.
Is Winnsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Winnsboro’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winnsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winnsboro’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.