Photo: Jim Plylar · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Zachary than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zachary gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #59 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 363 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 Zachary’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Zachary 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
Tornadoes
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 Zachary’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zachary, and Zachary’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D #59 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zachary’s residents live in 6 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, Zachary has less expected damage per building than 64% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.2M a year in losses across Zachary: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zachary flood? Yes: 363 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zachary, from FEMA’s records: 45.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms198 claims · $15.6M
- Hurricane Gustav36 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Delta21 claims · $1.2M
Zachary is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: East Baton Rouge Parish.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zachary
Disasters that paid out in Zachary itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Zachary), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine$46K to the City of Zachary for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida4,594 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2,737 households applied for aid$12.8M aid approved$549K to the City of Zachary for repairs199 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac245 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$90K to the City of Zachary for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav2,216 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$822K to the City of Zachary for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2005Hurricane Rita$12K to the City of Zachary for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,973 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$150K to the City of Zachary for repairs
- 2001Tropical Storm Allison$5K to the City of Zachary for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $35K
East Baton Rouge Parish has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Zachary after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zachary archive →Zachary and its neighbors
Zachary has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 363 |
| Central | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1,869 |
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 Zachary 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Zachary residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Zachary
Is Zachary at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zachary has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #59 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zachary flood?
Flood insurance has paid 363 claims in Zachary since 1978, $19.2M in all, or 45.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 52 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (198).
Is Zachary 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 East Baton Rouge Parish, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Zachary?
Zachary is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Zachary?
By FEMA money that reached Zachary, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 2,737 households applied for aid, $12.8M approved, and $549K to the City of Zachary for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 198 paid, $15.6M.
Is Zachary at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Zachary’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zachary.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zachary’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.