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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Ouachita Parish: Well Above National Average

Ouachita Parish scores 87.50 with a Relatively Moderate rating, significantly exceeding the national average for natural disaster risk. Residents face substantially higher exposure to multiple hazard types than most Americans.

Second Highest Risk in Louisiana

Ouachita Parish's 87.50 score ranks it second in Louisiana, exceeded only by Orleans Parish's 98.25, while being 25 points above the state average of 62.37. This places the parish among the state's most hazard-exposed communities.

Dramatically Riskier Than Surrounding Areas

Ouachita Parish's 87.50 score far exceeds nearby Madison Parish (32.44) and Morehouse Parish (55.28), making it a hotspot of elevated risk in northeast Louisiana. Only Rapides Parish (84.29) approaches its risk level in the immediate region.

Tornado Risk Dominates, Hurricane Close Second

Tornado risk peaks at 96.02—among the highest in the nation—while hurricane risk reaches 79.52, reflecting the parish's position in tornado alley. Flood risk (87.05), earthquake risk (89.28), and wildfire risk (56.20) add serious secondary threats.

Tornado Shelters and Comprehensive Insurance Essential

Ouachita Parish residents should prioritize a certified tornado shelter or safe room and ensure windstorm coverage for both tornado and hurricane damage. Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and wildfire home hardening should all be evaluated given the parish's extreme multi-hazard exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ouachita Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    87th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ouachita Parish

Risk Verdict

Ouachita Parish's overall risk score at the 88th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Ouachita Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (87th percentile), hurricane (80th percentile), wildfire (56th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ouachita Parish ranks at the 96th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Ouachita Parish can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Earthquake is the second hazard driver for Ouachita Parish at the 89th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and earthquake-specific warning systems. Ouachita Parish county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other Louisiana counties, Ouachita Parish runs 25.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Ouachita 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 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 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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