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

Assumption Parish Disaster Risk

Assumption Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

70th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Assumption Parish, Louisiana

Assumption Parish faces moderate risk

Assumption Parish's composite risk score of 70.29 places it in the relatively low category, slightly above Louisiana's state average of 62.37. The parish has meaningful disaster exposure but ranks below several other Louisiana parishes.

Mid-range risk among Louisiana parishes

Assumption ranks in Louisiana's middle tier for disaster risk, neither among the safest nor the most exposed parishes. Hurricane risk (93.49) and flood risk (78.00) drive most of the parish's composite score.

Comparable to surrounding parishes

Assumption's 70.29 score sits between Avoyelles Parish (73.00) to the north and Acadia Parish (88.61) to the south. It's notably safer than Ascension Parish (92.14) to the northeast.

Hurricanes and floods are primary threats

Hurricane risk (93.49) and flood risk (78.00) dominate Assumption's hazard profile, reflecting the parish's coastal and low-lying geography. Tornado risk (67.37) adds a secondary concern, though at lower severity than neighboring parishes.

Flood and wind insurance are vital

Assumption residents living in flood-prone areas should carry federally backed flood insurance, while all property owners need windstorm protection. Elevating structures and maintaining natural water barriers provide additional protection beyond insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Assumption Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    67th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Assumption Parish

Risk Verdict

Assumption Parish sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 70th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Assumption Parish's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Assumption Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (67th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Assumption Parish is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Flood at the 78th percentile nationally is Assumption Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. For Assumption Parish households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

A composite score 7.9 points above the Louisiana state average puts Assumption Parish in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Assumption 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 Assumption Parish, LA?
Assumption Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 70th 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 Assumption Parish?
Assumption Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), tornado (67th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Assumption Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Assumption Parish's composite risk percentile is 70th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Assumption Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Assumption Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Assumption Parish's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Assumption Parish is at the 78th 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 Assumption Parish higher risk than average?
Assumption Parish's composite risk score of 70th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (93th percentile), along with flooding and tornado 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.