Data: FEMA NFIP, FEMA Flood Map Service Center Last verified:

ZipCheckup tracks historical NFIP data for Louisiana: 478,719 flood-insurance claims, $20,951,584,615 in reported payment components, and claim-rated-zone evidence across 606 ZIP codes. The 71% figure is the A/V-family share among claim-record ZIPs, not current map coverage.

Louisiana has 478,719 historical NFIP claims. Among 606 ZIP codes with claim records, 71% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those claims. This is claims evidence, not a current property-map risk classification.

City Water Quality Map: Louisiana

Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.

A B C D F Circle size = population

Cities with Most Flood Claims in Louisiana

#	City	FEMA Claims	Reported Payment Components	Population
1	New Orleans	137,966	$7,497,849,783	414,097	Details →
2	Metairie	46,998	$1,963,726,381	137,417	Details →
3	Slidell	25,889	$1,510,605,959	94,837	Details →
4	Kenner	20,030	$657,319,150	66,744	Details →
5	Baton Rouge	18,126	$1,045,600,420	386,722	Details →
6	Marrero	17,567	$261,551,023	55,641	Details →
7	Gretna	14,430	$147,473,032	58,880	Details →
8	Chalmette	12,021	$1,168,766,534	22,461	Details →
9	Harvey	11,608	$122,305,685	39,690	Details →
10	Lake Charles	8,568	$289,193,782	135,457	Details →

Flood Risk Overview

Among 606 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Louisiana, 71% have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone in those historical claims. This is claims evidence, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory. Residents have filed 478,719 flood insurance claims through NFIP. The sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components is $21.0B across 388,958 claims with payment data.

Among claims with reported payment data, the average reported component sum in Louisiana is $54K. 89,761 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.

Cities with Most Flood Claims

Understanding Flood Zones

FEMA classifies areas by flood risk:

Zone	Risk Level	Insurance Required?
A, AE, AH, AO	High risk (Special Flood Hazard Area)	Yes, with federal mortgage
V, VE	High risk, coastal	Yes, with federal mortgage
B, X (shaded)	Moderate risk	Recommended
C, X (unshaded)	Low risk	Optional

In the claims dataset, 433 Louisiana ZIP codes have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone. This historical claims field cannot determine whether a specific property is currently inside a high-risk FEMA flood zone. Check the official FEMA map by address.

Flood Insurance in Louisiana

Key facts about flood insurance for Louisiana homeowners:

• Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage - a separate flood policy is required
• The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year depending on flood zone, elevation, and property type
• 30-day waiting period applies to new NFIP policies (except at closing)
• Private flood insurance may offer lower rates in some areas
• 478,719 claims have been filed in Louisiana; among 388,958 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $54K

How Flooding Affects Water Quality

Flooding poses serious risks to drinking water:

• Treatment plant overflows can allow untreated or partially treated water into distribution systems
• Stormwater runoff introduces pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals
• Sewage system backups contaminate groundwater and surface water sources
• Infrastructure damage can compromise pipes and create entry points for contaminants

After flooding events, monitor your utility's website and local news for boil water advisories.

Flood Damage Prevention

Steps to reduce flood damage to your home:

1. Install a sump pump with battery backup
2. Elevate utilities (furnace, water heater, electrical panel) above potential flood levels
3. Apply waterproof sealant to basement walls and floors
4. Maintain gutters and drains to direct water away from foundations
5. Consider flood vents in foundation walls
6. Check for FEMA mitigation grants - many communities participate in hazard mitigation programs

Data Sources

• Flood claims: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Louisiana at risk of flooding?

Among 606 ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Louisiana, 71% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. The dataset contains 478,719 claims and $21.0B in reported payment components. It is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

Which city in Louisiana has the most flood claims?

New Orleans has the largest recorded claim count in this state summary, with 137,966 NFIP claims and $7.5B in reported payment components. Claim history is not a current property-level flood designation.

Do I need flood insurance in Louisiana?

If your property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. Even outside mapped flood zones, FEMA reports over 40% of claims come from areas not designated as high risk. The average NFIP policy costs $700-$1,500/year.

How does flooding affect water quality?

Flooding can contaminate drinking water by overwhelming treatment systems, introducing sewage and runoff into water supplies, and damaging infrastructure. Boil water advisories are common after major floods. Local utility alerts provide information during these events.

How many flood claims have been filed in Louisiana?

478,719 NFIP flood insurance claims are recorded across Louisiana. Reported payment components sum to $21.0B; among 388,958 claims with payment data, the average reported component sum is $54K. 89,761 claims lack payment fields and are not treated as zero.