riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Acadia Parish Disaster Risk

Acadia Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

86th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Acadia Parish, Louisiana

Acadia faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 88.61, Acadia Parish ranks in the relatively moderate category—well above Louisiana's state average of 62.37. This means residents here face meaningfully higher exposure to natural hazards than the typical American county.

Among Louisiana's riskiest parishes

Acadia ranks among the highest-risk parishes in Louisiana, driven primarily by extreme hurricane exposure and substantial flood vulnerability. The parish's 96.66 hurricane risk score is among the state's most severe, reflecting its coastal geography.

Riskier than most nearby parishes

Acadia's 88.61 composite score significantly exceeds Allen Parish (50.70) to the north and Assumption Parish (70.29) to the east. Only Ascension Parish (92.14) nearby shows comparable overall risk levels, though for different hazard mixes.

Hurricanes and flooding dominate here

Hurricane risk (96.66) and flood risk (86.42) are Acadia's primary concerns, reflecting the parish's position in Louisiana's storm corridor. Tornado risk (71.50) adds a secondary threat that residents should also prepare for.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Acadia residents need both flood and windstorm insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude both hazards. Given the parish's extreme hurricane and flood scores, these specialized coverages aren't optional but critical investments in financial security.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Acadia Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    86th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Acadia Parish

Risk Verdict

Acadia Parish faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Acadia Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Acadia Parish's top-ranked natural hazard at the 97th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood at the 86th percentile nationally is Acadia Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Acadia Parish's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Acadia Parish's composite risk score sits 26.2 points above the Louisiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Acadia Parish's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Acadia Parish, LA?
Acadia Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Acadia Parish?
Acadia Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (97th percentile), flooding (86th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 97th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Acadia Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Acadia Parish's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Acadia Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Acadia Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Acadia Parish's hurricane risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Acadia Parish is at the 86th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Acadia Parish higher risk than average?
Acadia Parish's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.