Plaquemines Parish Disaster Risk
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#30
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Plaquemines Parish: Above National Average Risk
Plaquemines Parish scores 72.93 with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding the national average for composite risk. While labeled low relative to Louisiana, residents face above-average natural disaster exposure by national standards.
Mid-Range Risk Within Louisiana
Plaquemines Parish scores 72.93, sitting above the state average of 62.37 and ranking in the upper-middle range of Louisiana parishes. It faces higher hazard exposure than most of the state but less than the highest-risk areas.
Safer Than Orleans, Riskier Than Most Others
Plaquemines Parish's 72.93 score is substantially lower than Orleans Parish (98.25) but higher than Pointe Coupee Parish (63.07) and other nearby counties. It occupies a distinct risk zone along coastal Louisiana.
Hurricane and Flood Dominate Coastal Exposure
Hurricane risk reaches 94.87 and flood risk sits at 83.00, reflecting Plaquemines Parish's extreme coastal vulnerability. Tornado risk (40.17) remains moderate, while wildfire (20.55) and earthquake (29.55) risks are minimal.
Hurricane and Flood Insurance Critical
Plaquemines Parish residents must carry flood insurance and comprehensive windstorm/hurricane coverage, as standard homeowners policies exclude both perils. Given the 94.87 hurricane risk score, periodic reinforcement of home structure and roof systems is strongly advised.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Plaquemines Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Plaquemines Parish
Risk Verdict
Plaquemines Parish's FEMA risk score places it at the 73th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Plaquemines Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (40th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Plaquemines Parish sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Plaquemines Parish's flood exposure at the 83th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Plaquemines Parish households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Louisiana county average is 10.6 composite points below Plaquemines Parish's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Plaquemines Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Plaquemines Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect Plaquemines Parish?
How does Plaquemines Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is Plaquemines Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Plaquemines Parish higher risk than average?
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.