Gonzales, LA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: August 2026
Gonzales in Ascension Parish faces flooding from Bayou Manchac and the Amite River. The 2016 Louisiana floods caused devastating damage when unprecedented rainfall overwhelmed the area's waterways.
Ascension Parish has recorded 6,783 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $349.3M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
1
Ascension Parish
Avg. Premium
$726/yr
Ascension Parish
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Ascension Parish
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $18.5M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $2.2M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $74.2M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Ascension Parish
Ascension Parish has been included in 47 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 39 earlier declarations since 2012.
These declarations affected communities across Ascension Parish, including Gonzales.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Ascension Parish
Properties in Ascension Parish have filed 6,783 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $349.3M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $51K.
Highest-Claim Years
2016
3,947 claims - $309.2M
2001
355 claims - $4.4M
1983
310 claims - $3.6M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Ascension Parish
Only roughly 1 in 49,971 households in Ascension Parish carries NFIP flood insurance (0.0% of estimated households). With 30 recorded flood events and $1.5B in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.0%
roughly 1 in 49,971 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
6,783 claims over 45+ years across 1 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$51,498
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Ascension Parish has averaged 6783.0 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Gonzales.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Gonzales
Gonzales faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Gonzales are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $18.5M.
Riverine flood risk in Gonzales is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Gonzales address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Ascension Parish
Ascension Parish has 433 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 66 severe repetitive loss properties. 34 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
433
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
66
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
34
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 421 of 433 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Ascension Parish
NOAA has recorded 30 flood events in Ascension Parish since 1996, causing $1.5B in damage and 1 death.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Ascension Parish
FEMA has funded mitigation for 258 properties in Ascension Parish, investing $27.6M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Gonzales
Gonzales participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Gonzales's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Gonzales, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Gonzales, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Gonzales are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Gonzales?
If your Gonzales property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Gonzales?
Enter your Gonzales address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Gonzales offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Gonzales participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Gonzales experienced major flooding events?
Ascension Parish, where Gonzales is located, has been part of 47 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Francine in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Gonzales?
Ascension Parish has recorded 6,783 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $349.3M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2016, with 3,947 claims and $309.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Gonzales.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Gonzales?
Ascension Parish currently has 1 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $726. The most policies are in Zone X (1 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Gonzales properties have flooded repeatedly?
Ascension Parish has 433 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 66 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Gonzales property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Gonzales?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Gonzales's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.