Alexander State Forest Headquarters Building · Photo: Nikkipellet101 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Woodworth than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodworth gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (12%). 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 Woodworth 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 Woodworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodworth, and Woodworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Woodworth’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $890K a year in losses across Woodworth: $579K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodworth flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Woodworth. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Woodworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rapides Parish.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodworth
Disasters that paid out in Woodworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Woodworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta72 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$73K to the Town of Woodworth for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura185 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$107K to the Town of Woodworth for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav168 households applied for aid$261K aid approved$55K to the Town of Woodworth for repairs
Rapides Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Rapides Parish, 2000–2023.
Old photos of Woodworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodworth archive →Get ready for what Woodworth 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 Woodworth
Is Woodworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodworth has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (12%). 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.
Is Woodworth 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 Rapides Parish, 5.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Woodworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodworth’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 Woodworth?
By FEMA money that reached Woodworth, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 168 households applied for aid, $261K approved, and $55K to the Town of Woodworth for repairs.
Is Woodworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Woodworth’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodworth’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.