On FEMA’s figures, Lavalette faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lavalette gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Lavalette 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 Lavalette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lavalette, and Lavalette’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 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lavalette’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $961K a year in losses across Lavalette: $836K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lavalette flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lavalette. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lavalette isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lavalette
Disasters that paid out in Lavalette itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lavalette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides13 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
Wayne County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wayne County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Lavalette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lavalette archive →Get ready for what Lavalette 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 Lavalette
Is Lavalette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lavalette has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lavalette 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 Wayne County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lavalette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lavalette’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 Lavalette?
By FEMA money that reached Lavalette, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 9 households applied for aid, $76K approved.
Is Lavalette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Lavalette’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lavalette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lavalette’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.