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

LaSalle Parish Disaster Risk

LaSalle Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

12th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

23th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana

LaSalle Parish: Exceptionally Low National Risk

LaSalle Parish scores 12.15 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and ranking among America's safest counties for natural disasters. Your parish's inland northeast position shields it from the coastal and storm-system hazards that plague lower Louisiana.

Louisiana's Safest Parish

LaSalle Parish's composite score of 12.15 is the lowest in Louisiana, less than one-fifth the state average of 62.37. Your parish stands as a genuine natural disaster refuge within a state historically battered by major storms and floods.

Safest Spot in Northeast Louisiana

While neighboring Jackson Parish scores 26.18 and Lincoln Parish reaches 64.34, LaSalle Parish at 12.15 offers the lowest overall hazard exposure in the entire northeast region. Your geographic position—far inland and elevated—provides natural protection.

Hurricane Risk Remains Your Baseline

Hurricane risk (65.04) represents LaSalle Parish's highest hazard score, though this reflects only indirect exposure from distant Gulf storms. All other risk categories (flood, wildfire, tornado, earthquake) score well below the state average.

Standard Coverage Meets Your Needs

LaSalle Parish residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without urgency for specialized flood or named-storm policies, though keeping basic coverage current remains important. Verify your policy covers wind and hail, which account for most residential claims even in low-risk areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in LaSalle Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: LaSalle Parish

Risk Verdict

At the 12th percentile nationally, LaSalle Parish experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. LaSalle Parish's 12th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is LaSalle Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (31th percentile), flood (23th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

LaSalle Parish ranks at the 65th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 36th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for LaSalle Parish independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in LaSalle Parish's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.

Regional Context

A composite score 50.2 points below the Louisiana state average puts LaSalle Parish in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for LaSalle 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 LaSalle Parish, LA?
LaSalle Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 12th 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 LaSalle Parish?
LaSalle Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (65th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), flooding (23th percentile), wildfire (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 65th 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 LaSalle Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
LaSalle Parish's composite risk percentile is 12th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means LaSalle Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is LaSalle Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, LaSalle Parish's hurricane risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, LaSalle Parish is at the 23th 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 LaSalle Parish a safe place to live?
LaSalle Parish's composite risk score of 12th 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 65th 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.