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

Orleans Parish Disaster Risk

Orleans Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

98th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

94th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% 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 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Orleans Parish: Among Nation's Highest Risk

Orleans Parish scores a staggering 98.25 with a Relatively High rating, placing it among the most hazard-exposed counties in the United States. This far exceeds the national average, reflecting the parish's extreme vulnerability to multiple disaster types.

Highest Risk in Louisiana by Far

Orleans Parish's 98.25 score dwarfs the state average of 62.37 and ranks it as the most dangerous parish in Louisiana. No other Louisiana county approaches this level of composite risk.

Exponentially More Risky Than Neighbors

Orleans Parish's 98.25 risk score is more than double that of nearby Plaquemines Parish (72.93) and dwarfs the state average. This extreme isolation reflects New Orleans's unique and extreme hazard exposure.

Catastrophic Hurricane and Flood Risk

Hurricane risk reaches 99.67—nearly maximum—while flood risk sits at 93.51, both reflecting Orleans Parish's position below sea level and in the Gulf's direct path. Earthquake risk (80.38), tornado risk (71.56), and wildfire risk (48.09) compound the exposure.

Comprehensive Coverage is Non-Negotiable

Orleans Parish residents must carry flood insurance (federally mandated in most areas) and windstorm/hurricane coverage—standard homeowners policies exclude both. Additional earthquake insurance should be evaluated given the 80.38 seismic risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Orleans Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    94th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Orleans Parish

Risk Verdict

Orleans Parish carries an elevated natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Orleans Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Orleans Parish's top-ranked natural hazard at the 100th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 94th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Orleans Parish independent of hurricane season. Orleans Parish's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

Orleans Parish's composite risk score sits 35.9 points above the Louisiana county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Orleans 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 Orleans Parish, LA?
Orleans Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 98th 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 Orleans Parish?
Orleans Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (100th percentile), flooding (94th percentile), earthquake (80th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 100th 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 Orleans Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Orleans Parish's composite risk percentile is 98th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Orleans Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Orleans Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Orleans Parish's hurricane risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Orleans Parish is at the 94th 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 Orleans Parish higher risk than average?
Orleans Parish's composite risk score of 98th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana

-0.3

Relatively High

98th percentile

Jefferson Parish

Louisiana

+0.4

Relatively High

99th percentile

St. Tammany Parish

Louisiana

-1.7

Relatively High

97th 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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