riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jefferson Parish Disaster Risk

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% 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 Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jefferson Parish

Risk Verdict

Jefferson Parish carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Jefferson Parish, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 96th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (78th), tornado (72th), wildfire (27th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Jefferson Parish residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jefferson Parish is significantly riskier than the average county in Louisiana. Its composite risk score is 36.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson Parish, LA?
Jefferson Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th 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 Parish?
Jefferson Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (100th percentile), flooding (96th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 100th 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 Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Jefferson Parish's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Jefferson Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Jefferson Parish's hurricane risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson Parish is at the 96th 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 Parish higher risk than average?
Jefferson Parish's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado 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

Orleans Parish

Louisiana

-0.4

Relatively High

98th percentile

East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana

-0.7

Relatively High

98th percentile

St. Tammany Parish

Louisiana

-2.1

Relatively High

97th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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