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

Madison Parish Disaster Risk

Madison Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

32th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Madison Parish, Louisiana

Madison Parish: Well Below National Risk

Madison Parish scores 32.44 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting far below the national average. This places the parish among the lowest-risk counties in the country, meaning residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans.

Safest Parish in Louisiana

With a score of 32.44, Madison Parish is the lowest-risk county in Louisiana, well below the state average of 62.37. No other Louisiana parish comes close to this level of natural disaster protection.

Isolated Advantage in Northeast

Madison Parish's 32.44 score stands apart from nearby Morehouse Parish (55.28) and Ouachita Parish (87.50), making it an exceptional pocket of low risk in northeast Louisiana. Neighboring counties face substantially higher tornado, earthquake, and hurricane threats.

Tornado and Hurricane Remain Top Concerns

Even in low-risk Madison Parish, tornado risk scores 71.91 and hurricane risk reaches 69.63—modest compared to other parishes but still meaningful for residents. Flood risk remains minimal at 17.97, and wildfire risk is negligible at 4.90.

Basic Coverage Sufficient for Madison Parish

While tornado and hurricane risks exist, Madison Parish's overall low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection. Residents should still verify windstorm coverage for the tornado and hurricane threats that do exist in the parish.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Madison Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Madison Parish

Risk Verdict

Madison Parish sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 32th percentile nationally. A 32th percentile score positions Madison Parish among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Madison Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (50th percentile), flood (18th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 72th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Madison Parish households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 70th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Madison Parish's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Madison Parish households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Madison Parish falls 29.9 points below Louisiana's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Madison 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 Madison Parish, LA?
Madison Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 32th 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 Madison Parish?
Madison Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (72th percentile), hurricane (70th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 72th 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 Madison Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Madison Parish's composite risk percentile is 32th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Madison Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Madison Parish at risk for tornado?
Yes, Madison Parish's tornado risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Madison Parish is at the 18th 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 Madison Parish a safe place to live?
Madison Parish's composite risk score of 32th 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 tornado at the 72th 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.