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

Lafourche Parish Disaster Risk

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

82th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Lafourche Parish: High National Hazard Profile

Lafourche Parish scores 91.35 with a Relatively Moderate risk rating, placing it solidly above the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your parish's coastal bayou position creates overlapping hurricane and flood vulnerabilities found in few other American counties.

Top-Tier Risk Among Louisiana Parishes

Lafourche Parish ranks among Louisiana's highest-risk parishes with a composite score of 91.35, significantly exceeding the state average of 62.37. Only Jefferson and Lafayette parishes outrank Lafourche in overall hazard exposure.

Part of Louisiana's Riskiest Corridor

Neighboring Lafourche Parish connects to the high-risk cluster of Jefferson (98.66) and Lafayette parishes (95.17) in southeast Louisiana. Your parish sits at the bayou's edge, where storm surge and river flooding compounds coastal hurricane risk.

Tornadoes and Hurricanes Dominate

Tornado risk (94.53) and hurricane risk (97.75) are Lafourche Parish's defining hazards, both ranking among the state's highest. Flood risk (81.80) remains elevated due to the parish's low elevation and exposure to both storm surge and Mississippi River backwater.

Prioritize Hurricane and Tornado Safety

Lafourche Parish residents must maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage with full hurricane/wind protection and separate flood insurance for all properties in flood-prone areas. Consider safe-room reinforcement for tornado protection and keep documentation of home improvements for faster insurance claims.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lafourche Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    95th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    82th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lafourche Parish

Risk Verdict

Lafourche Parish faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lafourche Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (82th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Lafourche Parish's top-ranked natural hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Lafourche Parish's tornado exposure at the 95th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Lafourche Parish's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Lafourche Parish's composite risk score sits 29.0 points above the Louisiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lafourche 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 Lafourche Parish, LA?
Lafourche Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Lafourche Parish?
Lafourche Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), tornado (95th percentile), flooding (82th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), wildfire (19th 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 Lafourche Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Lafourche Parish's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lafourche Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Lafourche Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lafourche Parish's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lafourche Parish is at the 82th 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 Lafourche Parish higher risk than average?
Lafourche Parish's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake 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

Iberia Parish

Louisiana

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Ascension Parish

Louisiana

+0.8

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

Caddo Parish

Louisiana

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

93th 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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