City of Zachary
The geographic location of the City of Zachary lends itself to the great likelihood that natural disaster,
such as flood, tornado, or hurricane will occur. Flooding in the City of Zachary can be the result of the
following weather events: hurricanes, thunderstorms and winter storms.
The flooding threat to the City of Zachary is caused by backwater flooding along Whites Bayou and
Cypress Bayou, and their tributaries. Cypress Bayou follows a nine (9) mile circuitous route through
Zachary. Of concern are the connecting tributaries south of Zachary which ultimately empty into the
Mississippi River near Baton Rouge. Blockages downstream serve to impede the flow of Cypress Bayou.
Flood Zones: According to the FEMA FIRM Panels Dated May 2, 2008 and June 19, 2012 Zachary is said
to be in flood zones “A”, “AE”, shaded “X” and “X”. According to U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
96-649, approximately 48% of Zachary land area has the potential of being flooded by a 100 year flood
being in the “A” or “AE” flood zone. The majority of the floodplain is found along White’s Bayou. Most
streams within the City are subject to backwater flooding from large regional floods on the Amite and
Comite Rivers. In addition to these regional floods, headwaters flooding along the local streams due to
high-intensity rains occur often.
The City has had two federally declared disasters due to tornadoes. The NCDC reports 27 tornadoes
occurring in the City between 1950 and 2010, all of which have occurred since 1956. These tornadoes
caused 69 injuries, one death, and an estimated $12.555 million in property damage.
Some of Zachary’s latest natural disasters include: In April 2000, a 25-yard wide F-1 tornado briefly
touched down causing damage to several houses, barns and a mobile home. A large tree also toppled
onto a house. Property damage was estimated at $50,000. In June 2001, a weak F-1 tornado associated
with Tropical Storm Allison touched down briefly and traveled a one mile long path that was 30 yards
wide. Several trees and power lines were blown down. There was one fatality and approximately
$50,000 in property damages to Zachary. The year 2008 - Hurricane Gustav and Ike delivered a level of
flooding that should only be seen once every 200-300 years. Gustav dumped about 12 inches of rain on
Zachary and approximately 5.5 inches in just over an hour. The storm sent 90 miles per hour winds
ripping through Zachary, downing trees and filling local bayous and drainage ditches with debris.
Cypress Bayou was the area most inundated by Gustav flooding, with over 40 houses flooded by the
hurricane’s rains. In March 2011, the City of Zachary experienced an incident of flooding due to heavy
thunderstorms in the area. Streets were submerged and bayous and ditches were overflowing. The year 2012
brought Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac, the slowest moving hurricane, dumping massive amounts of
rain. Residents in Zachary were spared more during Isaac than during Gustav, but Hurricane Isaac left a
lasting impression on the city. Isaac caused flooding, downed trees, and widespread power outages.
Isaac dumped upwards of 18 inches of rain in the Zachary area. Nearly 500 tons of debris was picked up
in the City of Zachary following Hurricane Isaac. Also that year, 2012 a twister touched down in
December, and as a result of strong winds, downed trees and structural damage occurred in the city.