More hazard damage per building is expected in Youngsville than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngsville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Youngsville 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
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 Youngsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Youngsville, and Youngsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Youngsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Youngsville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Youngsville flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Youngsville, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Youngsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Youngsville
Disasters that paid out in Youngsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Youngsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances5 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Warren County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Youngsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Youngsville archive →Get ready for what Youngsville 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.
- 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 Youngsville
Is Youngsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngsville has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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.
Does Youngsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Youngsville since 1979, $81K in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Youngsville 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 Warren County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Youngsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Youngsville’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 Youngsville?
By FEMA money that reached Youngsville, Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is Youngsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Youngsville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Youngsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Youngsville’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.