Richland Parish Disaster Risk
Richland Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#46
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
31th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Richland Parish, Louisiana
Richland Parish Below National Average
Richland Parish scores 36.67 on the composite risk scale, significantly lower than the national average, earning a very low risk rating. The parish faces moderate tornado risk (71.82) and hurricane exposure (66.17), but benefits from lower flood and wildfire vulnerability.
Among Louisiana's Safest Counties
Richland Parish ranks near the bottom of Louisiana's risk spectrum with a score of 36.67, less than 60% of the state average of 62.37. Only a handful of Louisiana parishes—including neighboring Red River—score lower, making Richland one of the state's safer locations.
Safer Than Regional Peers
Richland Parish (36.67) sits well below Sabine Parish (60.97) to the west but slightly exceeds nearby Red River Parish (16.67). The parish's inland northeast location buffers it from coastal hurricane surge and storm surge flooding that threatens southern parishes.
Tornado and Hurricane Lead Concerns
Tornado risk (71.82) and hurricane risk (66.17) dominate Richland Parish's hazard profile, both above state average. However, flooding and wildfire threats remain relatively contained, thanks to the parish's higher elevation and distance from coastal systems.
Prepare for Severe Weather Events
Homeowners insurance is essential to cover tornado and wind damage, the parish's primary threats. Richland residents should maintain a safe room or storm shelter plan and ensure their policies explicitly cover severe convective storms and named hurricanes.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Richland Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Richland Parish
Risk Verdict
Richland Parish carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 37th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Richland Parish can use the 37th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Richland Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (62th percentile), flood (31th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Richland Parish's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 72th percentile nationally. In Richland Parish, mobile homes and manufactured housing face significantly higher tornado risk than site-built structures; residents in these homes should identify the nearest permanent community shelter in advance. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 66th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Richland Parish's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Richland Parish residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Richland Parish households.
Regional Context
Compared to the Louisiana county average, Richland Parish's composite score runs 25.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Richland Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Richland Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect Richland Parish?
How does Richland Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
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How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Richland Parish a safe place to live?
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.