Flood · 2016

Louisiana Great Flood

August 12–14, 2016 · LA

$10 billion

Total Damage

146,000+

Homes Flooded

$2.5 billion

Insured Losses

$1.7 billion

FEMA Grants

What Happened

A stalled upper-level low-pressure system produced a 1-in-500-year rainfall event over south Louisiana, flooding 146,000+ homes and killing 13 people. Critically, 75% of flooded homes were OUTSIDE designated FEMA floodplains. The event became the worst US natural disaster between Harvey (2017) and Katrina (2005).

Rainfall Record

31 inches in 5 days — a 1-in-500-year event

Affected Cities & States

States

Primary Cities

Baton Rouge
Denham Springs
Livingston
Hammond

Key Lessons for Homeowners

1
75% of flooded homes were outside FEMA floodplains — the single most important flood insurance lesson
2
Only 20% of affected homeowners had flood insurance — $8.5 billion in losses were uninsured
3
Baton Rouge's infrastructure was designed for 100-year events — a 500-year event overwhelmed everything
4
The 'Great Flood' received significantly less federal aid than comparably-sized disasters in other years

Damage & Recovery by the Numbers

Total Economic Damage: $10 billion
Insured Losses: $2.5 billion
Homes Flooded: 146,000+
FEMA Grants Issued: $1.7 billion
FEMA Declaration #: DR-4277

Official Resources

FEMA Declaration Number: DR-4277

Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.

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Related Resources

Other Major Events

Louisiana Great Flood — Frequently Asked Questions

: Louisiana Great Flood (2016) caused $10 billion in total damages, with $2.5 billion in insured losses. Approximately 146,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $1.7 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
: Key lessons from Louisiana Great Flood: 75% of flooded homes were outside FEMA floodplains — the single most important flood insurance lesson; Only 20% of affected homeowners had flood insurance — $8.5 billion in losses were uninsured; Baton Rouge's infrastructure was designed for 100-year events — a 500-year event overwhelmed everything; The 'Great Flood' received significantly less federal aid than comparably-sized disasters in other years.
: Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Louisiana Great Flood. This type of damage — surface water flooding from river flooding and storm runoff — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $1.7 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
: Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.

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What Happened

Rainfall Record

31 inches in 5 days — a 1-in-500-year event

Key Lessons for Homeowners

75% of flooded homes were outside FEMA floodplains — the single most important flood insurance lesson

Only 20% of affected homeowners had flood insurance — $8.5 billion in losses were uninsured

Baton Rouge's infrastructure was designed for 100-year events — a 500-year event overwhelmed everything

The 'Great Flood' received significantly less federal aid than comparably-sized disasters in other years

Louisiana Great Flood — Frequently Asked Questions

Louisiana Great Flood (2016) caused $10 billion in total damages, with $2.5 billion in insured losses. Approximately 146,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $1.7 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.

Key lessons from Louisiana Great Flood: 75% of flooded homes were outside FEMA floodplains — the single most important flood insurance lesson; Only 20% of affected homeowners had flood insurance — $8.5 billion in losses were uninsured; Baton Rouge's infrastructure was designed for 100-year events — a 500-year event overwhelmed everything; The 'Great Flood' received significantly less federal aid than comparably-sized disasters in other years.

Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Louisiana Great Flood. This type of damage — surface water flooding from river flooding and storm runoff — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $1.7 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.