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

Lincoln Parish Disaster Risk

Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

54th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% 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 Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

Lincoln Parish: Above-Average National Risk

Lincoln Parish scores 64.34, placing it in the Relatively Low category but slightly above the national average for hazard exposure. Your parish's location in northeast Louisiana means exposure to tornado and hurricane systems that regularly affect the region.

Middle-Tier Risk Among Louisiana Parishes

Lincoln Parish's composite score of 64.34 slightly exceeds Louisiana's state average of 62.37, ranking it in the middle range of the state's 64 parishes. This positions your parish in a moderate-risk zone compared to both the safest and riskiest Louisiana communities.

Riskier Than Jackson, Safer Than Others

Neighboring Jackson Parish to the north scores just 26.18, while Lincoln Parish reaches 64.34; however, LaSalle Parish to the west scores even lower at 12.15. Lincoln Parish sits in a transition zone between northeast Louisiana's safest and higher-risk southern parishes.

Tornadoes Are Your Primary Concern

Tornado risk (86.86) stands as Lincoln Parish's dominant hazard, ranking among the state's highest and reflecting your location in Tornado Alley's southern reach. Hurricane risk (67.00) and earthquake risk (68.19) present secondary concerns; flood risk (54.26) remains moderate.

Tornado Safety Should Lead Your Planning

Lincoln Parish residents should prioritize wind and hail coverage in homeowners policies and consider investing in a safe room or basement shelter for tornado protection. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage, but verify your deductibles and limits with your agent to ensure adequate protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    67th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Lincoln Parish

Risk Verdict

Lincoln Parish's FEMA risk score places it at the 64th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Lincoln Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (67th percentile), flood (54th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 87th percentile nationally makes Lincoln Parish a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Lincoln Parish at the 68th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. In Lincoln Parish, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

Lincoln Parish sits within 2.0 composite points of the Louisiana state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln Parish, LA?
Lincoln Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Lincoln Parish?
Lincoln Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), hurricane (67th percentile), flooding (54th percentile), wildfire (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Lincoln Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Lincoln Parish's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lincoln Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Lincoln Parish at risk for tornado?
Yes, Lincoln Parish's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lincoln Parish is at the 54th 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 Lincoln Parish higher risk than average?
Lincoln Parish's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.