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

Jefferson Davis Parish Disaster Risk

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

74th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#27

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

Jefferson Davis Parish: Moderate National Risk

Jefferson Davis Parish scores 74.33, placing it in the Relatively Low category but well above the national average for hazard exposure. This score reflects the parish's location in Louisiana's coastal-adjacent zone, where multiple hazard types overlap.

Above-Average Risk for Louisiana

Jefferson Davis Parish ranks in the higher-risk half of Louisiana parishes with a score of 74.33 versus the state average of 62.37. This 12-point gap signals notably elevated exposure compared to most of your state's inland communities.

Riskier Than Your Northern Neighbors

Jackson Parish to the north scores just 26.18, while Jefferson Davis Parish reaches 74.33—a striking 48-point difference. This contrast reflects Jefferson Davis's position closer to coastal storm tracks and flood-prone terrain.

Hurricane Risk Dominates the Parish

Hurricane risk scores 92.28—among the highest in the state—while tornado risk (75.70) and wildfire risk (67.84) also pose significant concerns. Flood risk of 66.70 reflects the parish's vulnerable lowland position and exposure to storm surge.

Bundle Hurricane and Flood Insurance

Jefferson Davis Parish residents must carry both standard homeowners coverage for wind and separate flood insurance, which federal programs recommend for moderate-to-high-risk zones. Review your policy annually and consider upgrading coverage if you live near standing water, drainage ditches, or coastal access routes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jefferson Davis Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jefferson Davis Parish

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Jefferson Davis Parish is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 74th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Jefferson Davis Parish's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Jefferson Davis Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (68th percentile), flood (67th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 92th percentile nationally makes Jefferson Davis Parish a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Jefferson Davis Parish evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 76th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Jefferson Davis Parish independent of hurricane season. Jefferson Davis Parish residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Jefferson Davis Parish is 12.0 composite risk points above the Louisiana average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Jefferson Davis 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 Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?
Jefferson Davis Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 74th 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 Jefferson Davis Parish?
Jefferson Davis Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (92th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), wildfire (68th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 92th 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 Jefferson Davis Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Jefferson Davis Parish's composite risk percentile is 74th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson Davis Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Jefferson Davis Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jefferson Davis Parish's hurricane risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson Davis Parish is at the 67th 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 Jefferson Davis Parish higher risk than average?
Jefferson Davis Parish's composite risk score of 74th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (92th percentile), along with tornado and wildfire and flooding 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

Iberville Parish

Louisiana

-0.6

Relatively Low

74th percentile

St. Bernard Parish

Louisiana

+1.3

Relatively Low

76th percentile

Avoyelles Parish

Louisiana

-1.3

Relatively Low

73th 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.

Explore more data for Jefferson Davis Parish

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score