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

Avoyelles Parish Disaster Risk

Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#29

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Avoyelles faces moderate disaster risk

Avoyelles Parish's composite risk score of 73.00 places it in the relatively low category, slightly above Louisiana's state average of 62.37. The parish has substantial hazard exposure but remains below the state's riskiest counties.

Lower-middle tier among Louisiana parishes

Avoyelles ranks in Louisiana's lower-middle risk range, benefiting from lower flood exposure than coastal parishes but facing significant tornado and hurricane threats. The parish's 84.26 tornado risk is notably elevated compared to many neighboring parishes.

Moderate risk relative to neighbors

Avoyelles's 73.00 score exceeds Assumption Parish (70.29) to the south but falls well below Ascension Parish (92.14) to the east. Allen Parish (50.70) to the west faces lower overall risk.

Tornadoes pose the highest threat

Avoyelles faces exceptionally high tornado risk (84.26), making severe weather preparedness essential for residents. Hurricane risk (90.03) and moderate flood risk (44.53) round out the parish's major hazards.

Prioritize tornado safety and coverage

Avoyelles residents should ensure their homeowners insurance covers windstorm and hail damage, particularly given the parish's high tornado exposure. Developing a family severe weather plan and knowing shelter locations are equally important as financial protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Avoyelles Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    84th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    52th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Avoyelles Parish

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 73th, Avoyelles Parish faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Avoyelles Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (52th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), flood (45th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 90th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Avoyelles Parish households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Avoyelles Parish's tornado exposure at the 84th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Avoyelles Parish households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

At 10.6 points above the Louisiana state average, Avoyelles Parish carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Louisiana county.

Is your household prepared for Avoyelles 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 Avoyelles Parish, LA?
Avoyelles Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Avoyelles Parish?
Avoyelles Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), tornado (84th percentile), earthquake (52th percentile), wildfire (49th percentile), flooding (45th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Avoyelles Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Avoyelles Parish's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Avoyelles Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Avoyelles Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Avoyelles Parish's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Avoyelles Parish is at the 45th 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 Avoyelles Parish higher risk than average?
Avoyelles Parish's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado and earthquake 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.