Monroe, LA Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Monroe faces river flooding from the Ouachita River, which has produced major floods in 1932 and 1991, the latter when nearly 20 inches of rain pushed the river to over 50 feet, well above its 40-foot flood stage. Bayou DeSiard also runs through the city.
Ouachita Parish has recorded 6,982 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $162.7M 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
5,456
Ouachita Parish
Avg. Premium
$482/yr
Ouachita Parish
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Ouachita Parish
Properties in Ouachita Parish have filed 6,982 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $162.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $23K.
Highest-Claim Years
2016
1,765 claims - $89.8M
1991
1,326 claims - $19.9M
1989
989 claims - $9.4M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Ouachita Parish
Only roughly 1 in 12 households in Ouachita Parish carries NFIP flood insurance (9% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
9%
roughly 1 in 12 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
6,982 claims over 45+ years across 5,456 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$23,305
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Ouachita Parish has averaged 1.3 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 Monroe.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Ouachita Parish
Ouachita Parish has 826 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 194 severe repetitive loss properties. 19 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
826
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
194
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
19
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 808 of 826 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Ouachita Parish
Ouachita Parish has been included in 29 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 21 earlier declarations since 2005.
These declarations affected communities across Ouachita Parish, including Monroe.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Ouachita Parish
NOAA has recorded 118 flood events in Ouachita Parish since 1996, causing $44.8M in damage and 5 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Ouachita Parish
FEMA has funded mitigation for 55 properties in Ouachita Parish, investing $6.8M 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.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Ouachita 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: $21.7M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $1.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Monroe
Monroe 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 Monroe are Zone AE, Zone X, Zone A. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $21.7M.
Riverine flood risk in Monroe 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 Monroe address.
Monroe, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Monroe, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Monroe are Zone AE, Zone X, Zone A. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Monroe?
If your Monroe 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 a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Monroe?
Enter your Monroe 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.
What type of flooding affects Monroe?
Monroe is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X, Zone A. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Monroe address.
Has Monroe experienced major flooding events?
Ouachita Parish, where Monroe is located, has been part of 29 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Tropical Storm 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 Monroe?
Ouachita Parish has recorded 6,982 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $162.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2016, with 1,765 claims and $89.8M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Monroe.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Monroe?
Ouachita Parish currently has 5,456 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $482. The most policies are in Zone AE (2,627 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Monroe properties have flooded repeatedly?
Ouachita Parish has 826 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 194 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 Monroe 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 Monroe?
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 Monroe'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.
Other Louisiana Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Monroe, LA Address
Enter a Monroe, LA address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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.