riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Ouachita Parish Disaster Risk

Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

87th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Ouachita Parish

Risk Verdict

Ouachita Parish has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 88th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Ouachita Parish, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 89th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (87th), hurricane (80th), wildfire (56th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Ouachita Parish residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Ouachita Parish is significantly riskier than the average county in Louisiana. Its composite risk score is 25.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Ouachita Parish, LA?
Ouachita Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Ouachita Parish?
Ouachita Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (96th percentile), earthquake (89th percentile), flooding (87th percentile), hurricane (80th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 96th 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 Ouachita Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Ouachita Parish's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Ouachita Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Ouachita Parish at risk for tornado?
Yes, Ouachita Parish's tornado risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Ouachita Parish is at the 87th 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 Ouachita Parish higher risk than average?
Ouachita Parish's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (96th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding and hurricane and wildfire 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

St. Martin Parish

Louisiana

-0.2

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

St. Landry Parish

Louisiana

+0.7

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Acadia Parish

Louisiana

+1.1

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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