Photo: Shyngo at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Zwolle’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zwolle gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (10%). 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 Zwolle 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 Zwolle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zwolle, and Zwolle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zwolle’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $852K a year in losses across Zwolle: $567K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zwolle flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Zwolle. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Zwolle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sabine Parish.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zwolle
Disasters that paid out in Zwolle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Zwolle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms42 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$135K to the Town of Zwolle for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura606 households applied for aid$273K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike38 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$3K to the Town of Zwolle for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav11 households applied for aid$9K to the Town of Zwolle for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita849 households applied for aid$583K aid approved$56K to the Town of Zwolle for repairs
Sabine Parish has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sabine Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Zwolle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zwolle archive →Get ready for what Zwolle 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Zwolle
Is Zwolle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zwolle has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Zwolle 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 Sabine Parish, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Zwolle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zwolle’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 Zwolle?
By FEMA money that reached Zwolle, Hurricane Rita (2005): 849 households applied for aid, $583K approved, and $56K to the Town of Zwolle for repairs.
Is Zwolle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Zwolle’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zwolle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zwolle’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.