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

Bienville Parish Disaster Risk

Bienville Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Bienville Parish has very low risk

Bienville Parish's composite risk score of 28.66 ranks it as very low—one of the safest parishes in Louisiana and well below the state average of 62.37. This makes Bienville an exceptionally low-risk location for natural disasters.

Louisiana's safest parish by far

Bienville ranks at the very bottom of Louisiana's disaster risk distribution, offering residents dramatically better odds than most state parishes. Even the parish's highest individual hazard—tornado risk at 54.17—remains moderate compared to state peers.

Significantly safer than nearby parishes

Bienville's 28.66 score is far below Bossier Parish (82.54) to the west and all other nearby parishes. The parish stands alone as Louisiana's lowest-risk region.

Tornado risk is highest concern

Bienville's primary hazard is tornado risk (54.17), which remains moderate rather than severe by state standards. Hurricane exposure (67.88) and flood risk (25.13) are both significantly lower than typical Louisiana parishes.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Bienville residents can rely on standard homeowners policies for basic coverage, though windstorm riders remain prudent given Louisiana's geography. The parish's low risk profile means residents can focus resources on routine maintenance and basic preparedness rather than specialized coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bienville Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    42th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Bienville Parish

Risk Verdict

Bienville Parish carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 29th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Even at the 29th percentile, Bienville Parish's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bienville Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (42th percentile), flood (25th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Bienville Parish's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 68th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado at the 54th percentile nationally is Bienville Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Bienville Parish storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Louisiana county average, Bienville Parish's composite score runs 33.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Bienville 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 Bienville Parish, LA?
Bienville Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Bienville Parish?
Bienville Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (68th percentile), tornado (54th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 68th 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 Bienville Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Bienville Parish's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bienville Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Bienville Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bienville Parish's hurricane risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Bienville Parish is at the 25th 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.
Is Bienville Parish a safe place to live?
Bienville Parish's composite risk score of 29th percentile is below the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.