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

Natchitoches Parish Disaster Risk

Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

56th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Natchitoches Parish: Slightly Below National Average

Natchitoches Parish scores 56.39 with a Relatively Low rating, sitting slightly below the national average for composite risk. Residents face a moderate level of natural disaster exposure compared to typical Americans.

Lower-Middle Risk in Louisiana

Natchitoches Parish ranks near the middle of Louisiana counties at 56.39, just below the state average of 62.37. It's among the safer parishes in the state, though several neighbors carry notably higher risk.

Safest Option in Cane River Region

Natchitoches Parish's 56.39 score edges out Rapides Parish (84.29) and significantly outperforms Ouachita Parish (87.50) in the surrounding area. It shares similar risk profiles with other central Louisiana parishes but offers slightly better protection.

Hurricane and Flood Lead Natchitoches Threats

Hurricane risk peaks at 75.01 and flood risk follows at 61.26, reflecting the parish's location in Louisiana's exposed zones. Wildfire risk (51.37), earthquake risk (57.06), and tornado risk (64.22) add secondary but real concerns.

Hurricane and Flood Coverage Paramount

Natchitoches Parish residents should prioritize flood insurance (which standard policies exclude) and verify windstorm coverage for hurricane protection. Given the elevated wildfire risk at 51.37, homeowners should also inspect properties for vegetation and defensible space.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Natchitoches Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    64th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    61th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Natchitoches Parish

Risk Verdict

At the 56th percentile nationally, Natchitoches Parish experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Natchitoches Parish's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Natchitoches Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (61th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Natchitoches Parish's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 75th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Natchitoches Parish's tornado exposure at the 64th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Natchitoches Parish storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Louisiana county average, Natchitoches Parish's composite score runs 6.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches Parish, LA?
Natchitoches Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 56th 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 Natchitoches Parish?
Natchitoches Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), tornado (64th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane 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 Natchitoches Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Natchitoches Parish's composite risk percentile is 56th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Natchitoches Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Natchitoches Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Natchitoches Parish's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Natchitoches Parish is at the 61th 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 Natchitoches Parish a safe place to live?
Natchitoches Parish's composite risk score of 56th 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 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

East Feliciana Parish

Louisiana

+0.0

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Beauregard Parish

Louisiana

-0.8

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Morehouse Parish

Louisiana

-1.1

Relatively Low

55th 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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