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

Red River Parish Disaster Risk

Red River Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Red River Parish, Louisiana

Red River: Among America's Safest

Red River Parish scores 16.67 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it well below the national average and making it one of Louisiana's lowest-risk counties. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and tornadoes across the parish.

Lowest Risk in Louisiana

Red River Parish ranks as the safest county in Louisiana, with a composite risk score of 16.67—less than one-third the state average of 62.37. This exceptional standing reflects the parish's geographic position and resilience to most major natural hazards.

A Safe Haven in North Louisiana

Red River Parish's 16.67 score dramatically outperforms neighboring Richland Parish (36.67) and more distant Sabine Parish (60.97), making it a notably safer location in the region. The parish benefits from its inland position and distance from Louisiana's coast and major flood corridors.

Hurricane and Tornado Watch Needed

Hurricane risk (63.95) and tornado risk (45.10) are Red River's top hazards, though both remain below state and national averages. While the parish is well-positioned overall, residents should maintain standard hurricane and severe weather preparedness plans.

Essential Coverage for Peace of Mind

Even in a low-risk parish, standard homeowners insurance remains critical for covering tornado and wind damage. Red River residents should also consider a separate wind or named-peril policy to ensure comprehensive protection during hurricane season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Red River Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Red River Parish

Risk Verdict

Red River Parish's overall natural disaster score at the 17th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Red River Parish residents can take confidence from a 17th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Red River Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (34th percentile), flood (18th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 64th percentile nationally makes Red River Parish a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Red River Parish evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Red River Parish's tornado exposure at the 45th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Red River Parish residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Red River Parish's composite risk score sits 45.7 points below the Louisiana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Red River 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 Red River Parish, LA?
Red River Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Red River Parish?
Red River Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (64th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), wildfire (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 64th 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 Red River Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Red River Parish's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Red River Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Red River Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Red River Parish's hurricane risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Red River Parish is at the 18th 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.
Is Red River Parish a safe place to live?
Red River Parish's composite risk score of 17th percentile is below the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Catahoula Parish

Louisiana

+0.3

Very Low

17th percentile

West Carroll Parish

Louisiana

-1.3

Very Low

15th percentile

Tensas Parish

Louisiana

-2.2

Very Low

15th 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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