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

Pointe Coupee Parish Disaster Risk

Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana

Pointe Coupee Parish: Near National Average Risk

Pointe Coupee Parish scores 63.07 with a Relatively Low rating, nearly aligned with the national average for composite risk. Residents face a typical level of natural disaster exposure compared to most American counties.

Slightly Above Louisiana Average Risk

Pointe Coupee Parish scores 63.07, just above the state average of 62.37, placing it squarely in Louisiana's mid-risk category. Multiple parishes expose residents to both higher and lower levels of hazard.

Lowest Risk in Central Louisiana

Pointe Coupee Parish's 63.07 score is the lowest in its region, below Rapides Parish (84.29) and Natchitoches Parish (56.39). It occupies a relatively safer position along Louisiana's central corridor.

Tornado and Hurricane Lead Pointe Coupee

Tornado risk peaks at 78.82 and hurricane risk reaches 86.52, making wind events the primary hazard concern. Flood risk is low at 26.27, and wildfire risk is minimal at 11.80, while earthquake risk (39.28) remains moderate.

Focus on Wind and Hurricane Protection

Pointe Coupee Parish residents should prioritize windstorm coverage for tornado and hurricane protection, as standard policies may exclude wind damage. Flood insurance can be a lower priority given the 26.27 flood risk, though residents in low-lying areas should still evaluate their specific exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pointe Coupee Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pointe Coupee Parish

Risk Verdict

Pointe Coupee Parish sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 63th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Pointe Coupee Parish's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pointe Coupee Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), flood (26th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Pointe Coupee Parish is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 79th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Pointe Coupee Parish independent of hurricane season. For Pointe Coupee Parish households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Pointe Coupee Parish's composite risk score is within 0.7 points of the Louisiana county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Pointe Coupee 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 Pointe Coupee Parish, LA?
Pointe Coupee Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Pointe Coupee Parish?
Pointe Coupee Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (87th percentile), tornado (79th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 87th 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 Pointe Coupee Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Pointe Coupee Parish's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pointe Coupee Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Pointe Coupee Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pointe Coupee Parish's hurricane risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pointe Coupee Parish is at the 26th 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 Pointe Coupee Parish higher risk than average?
Pointe Coupee Parish's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (87th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.