Enter any address in St. James Parish, Louisiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant concern in St. James Parish County. Recent events include substantial rainfall in January 2024 and September 2024, with Hurricane Francine bringing 10-15 inches of rain and 6-9 feet of storm surge. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 12 flash flood events, alongside 8 tropical storms and 5 hurricanes.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $28,094 and an average water depth of 3.3 feet. Properties in Zone A also show a notable number of claims. Homeowners in coastal areas, those near waterways, and residents in zones with lower base flood elevations should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
St. James Parish, Louisiana has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 44 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Tropical Storm Francine | Hurricane | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Hurricane Francine | Hurricane | Sep 9, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Nicholas | Coastal Storm | Sep 12, 2021 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2024 | 18.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 11, 2024 | 1.00M |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Sep 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Hurricane (Typhoon) | Aug 29, 2021 | 250.00M (1 deaths) |
| Coastal Flood | May 19, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 28, 2020 | 5.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 9, 2020 | 1.00M |
| Tropical Storm | Jul 12, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 24, 2024
For the second time in January, near record atmospheric levels of moisture, for January, was in place across southern Mississippi and southeast Louisiana. Low level convergence aided in the formation of a weak stalled frontal boundary, which became the focus for widespread showers and thunderstorms. Strong diffluence aloft from an approaching upper level jet enhanced storms that did develop. Th...
Flash Flood — Sep 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine formed as a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Houma, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. With sustained winds of 100 mph and gusts peaking at 105 mph, Francine brought widespread damage to southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. A storm surge of 6-9 feet inundated ...
Tropical Storm — Sep 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine formed as a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Houma, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. With sustained winds of 100 mph and gusts peaking at 105 mph, Francine brought widespread damage to southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. A storm surge of 6-9 feet inundated ...
Storm Surge/Tide — Sep 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine formed as a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall near Houma, Louisiana, on the morning of September 11. With sustained winds of 100 mph and gusts peaking at 105 mph, Francine brought widespread damage to southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. A storm surge of 6-9 feet inundated ...
Hurricane (Typhoon) — Aug 29, 2021
The ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Ida originated from a tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea on August 23rd. On August 26th, the wave developed into a tropical depression, which organized further and became Tropical Storm Ida later that day, near Grand Cayman. On a northwestward track, Ida intensified into a hurricane on Aug...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in St. James Parish, Louisiana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in St. James Parish, Louisiana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.