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

Morehouse Parish Disaster Risk

Morehouse Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana

Morehouse Parish: Below Average Risk Nationally

Morehouse Parish scores 55.28 with a Relatively Low rating, running below the national average for composite risk. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans, though not as protected as some other regions.

Mid-Range Risk Within Louisiana

Morehouse Parish ranks in the middle range of Louisiana counties at 55.28, below the state average of 62.37. It's safer than most parishes but carries more risk than a handful of the state's lowest-risk areas.

Moderate Risk in Northeast Louisiana

Morehouse Parish's 55.28 score positions it between the safest parish (Madison at 32.44) and higher-risk neighbors like Ouachita (87.50). The parish faces notably higher flood, earthquake, and wildfire threats than Madison Parish.

Earthquake Risk Dominates Morehouse

Earthquake risk leads at 74.52, followed by tornado risk at 68.45 and hurricane risk at 68.17—all elevated compared to national baselines. Flood risk is substantial at 59.45, with wildfire risk at 48.25 rounding out the concern list.

Earthquake Coverage Becomes Essential Here

Morehouse Parish's elevated earthquake risk (74.52) makes specialized earthquake insurance worth considering, as standard policies exclude seismic events. Homeowners should also ensure windstorm and flood coverage are included given the combined tornado, hurricane, and flood exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morehouse Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    68th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morehouse Parish

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Morehouse Parish is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 55th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Morehouse Parish's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Morehouse Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (68th percentile), flood (59th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake exposure at the 75th percentile nationally puts Morehouse Parish in a zone where utilities — gas, water, electrical — are the most common post-quake hazard. Knowing how to shut off the main gas valve is an important household skill to develop before an event occurs. Tornado at the 68th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Morehouse Parish that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Morehouse Parish households benefit from keeping shoes and a flashlight near the bed — post-earthquake navigation through debris in the dark is a common cause of secondary injury. This low-cost step has outsized protective value.

Regional Context

Morehouse Parish's composite risk score sits 7.1 points below the Louisiana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Morehouse 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 Morehouse Parish, LA?
Morehouse Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Morehouse Parish?
Morehouse Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (75th percentile), tornado (68th percentile), hurricane (68th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 75th 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 Morehouse Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Morehouse Parish's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Morehouse Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Morehouse Parish at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Morehouse Parish's earthquake risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Morehouse Parish is at the 59th 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 Morehouse Parish a safe place to live?
Morehouse Parish's composite risk score of 55th 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 earthquake at the 75th 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.