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

Ascension Parish Disaster Risk

Ascension Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ascension Parish, Louisiana

Ascension faces significant disaster risk

Ascension Parish's composite risk score of 92.14 ranks it in the relatively moderate category, substantially above Louisiana's state average of 62.37. This makes Ascension one of the state's higher-exposure parishes for natural disasters.

Among Louisiana's highest-risk parishes

Ascension ranks near the top of Louisiana's risk distribution, primarily driven by extreme tornado and hurricane exposure. The parish's tornado risk (95.26) is exceptionally high—among the most severe in the state.

Riskier than most nearby parishes

Ascension's 92.14 score exceeds nearby Assumption Parish (70.29) and significantly surpasses Allen Parish (50.70). Only Acadia Parish (88.61) immediately to the south shows comparable risk levels.

Tornadoes and hurricanes are severe

Ascension faces exceptionally high tornado risk (95.26) and extreme hurricane risk (97.96)—a dangerous one-two punch. Flood risk (79.20) rounds out the parish's top three natural disaster threats.

Build tornado-safe habits and coverage

Ascension residents need robust homeowners insurance that includes windstorm protection, plus investment in storm shelters or safe rooms. The parish's exceptional tornado risk makes structural reinforcement a worthwhile safety upgrade beyond insurance alone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ascension Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    79th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ascension Parish

Risk Verdict

At the 92th percentile nationally, Ascension Parish sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Ascension Parish residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Ascension Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (79th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 98th percentile nationally, Ascension Parish sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 95th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Ascension Parish independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Ascension Parish households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

The Louisiana county average is 29.8 composite points below Ascension Parish's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Ascension 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 Ascension Parish, LA?
Ascension Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th 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 Ascension Parish?
Ascension Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), tornado (95th percentile), flooding (79th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 98th 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 Ascension Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Ascension Parish's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ascension Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Ascension Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Ascension Parish's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ascension Parish is at the 79th 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 Ascension Parish higher risk than average?
Ascension Parish's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Caddo Parish

Louisiana

+0.5

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Lafourche Parish

Louisiana

-0.8

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Tangipahoa Parish

Louisiana

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

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.

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