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

Lafayette Parish Disaster Risk

Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

95th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

93th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

Lafayette Parish: Top-Tier National Risk

Lafayette Parish scores 95.17 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively High rating and placing it among the most disaster-exposed counties in America. Your parish's central Louisiana location funnels multiple hazard types into one vulnerable zone.

Second-Highest Risk in Louisiana

Lafayette Parish's score of 95.17 ranks it second only to Jefferson Parish among Louisiana's 64 parishes, far exceeding the state average of 62.37. This reflects your parish's position at the intersection of coastal flood risk and regional tornado activity.

Center of a High-Risk Cluster

Neighboring Jefferson Parish (98.66) and Livingston Parish (94.47) both rank among the state's riskiest, creating a contiguous zone of maximum hazard exposure across south-central Louisiana. Your parish sits within one of America's most disaster-prone regions.

Hurricanes Lead, Floods Follow Close

Hurricane risk reaches 98.37 and flood risk scores 93.03, making these the overwhelming hazards residents must prepare for. Tornado risk (65.33) and earthquake risk (68.35) present secondary threats that deserve attention in home and business planning.

Layered Insurance Is Your Foundation

Lafayette Parish residents need homeowners insurance with strong hurricane/wind coverage, mandatory flood insurance for all properties in designated flood zones, and consideration of additional named-storm or earthquake riders. Work with a local insurance agent to understand your exact flood zone and ensure coverage limits match your home's true replacement cost.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lafayette Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    93th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lafayette Parish

Risk Verdict

With a national rank of 95th percentile, Lafayette Parish faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Lafayette Parish.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lafayette Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (68th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Lafayette Parish's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 98th 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. Flood at the 93th percentile nationally is Lafayette 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 Lafayette Parish storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Lafayette Parish falls 32.8 points above Louisiana's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Lafayette 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 Lafayette Parish, LA?
Lafayette Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 95th 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 Lafayette Parish?
Lafayette Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), flooding (93th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 98th 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 Lafayette Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Lafayette Parish's composite risk percentile is 95th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lafayette Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Lafayette Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lafayette Parish's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lafayette Parish is at the 93th 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 Lafayette Parish higher risk than average?
Lafayette Parish's composite risk score of 95th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado and wildfire 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

Calcasieu Parish

Louisiana

+0.5

Relatively High

96th percentile

Livingston Parish

Louisiana

-0.7

Relatively High

94th percentile

Terrebonne Parish

Louisiana

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

94th 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.

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