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

Sabine Parish Disaster Risk

Sabine Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

61th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sabine Parish, Louisiana

Sabine Parish Faces Moderate Risk Nationally

Sabine Parish scores 60.97, approaching the national average for composite disaster risk and earning a relatively low rating. The parish confronts elevated hurricane (80.31), wildfire (67.43), and tornado risks (72.01), though these remain manageable with proper preparation.

Mid-Range Risk Across Louisiana

Sabine Parish scores 60.97, just below Louisiana's state average of 62.37, placing it in the middle tier of parish risk levels. While safer than St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes to the south, Sabine faces greater hazards than Red River or Richland to the east.

Higher Risk Than Inland Neighbors

Sabine Parish (60.97) significantly exceeds nearby Red River (16.67) and Richland parishes (36.67), reflecting its western position closer to Texas pineywoods wildfires and Gulf tropical systems. The parish's exposure to both wildfire and hurricane corridors elevates its composite risk relative to northeast Louisiana.

Hurricane, Wildfire, Tornado Trio

Sabine Parish faces a triple threat: hurricane risk (80.31), tornado risk (72.01), and wildfire risk (67.43)—all above state average. Flood risk (66.54) rounds out the parish's significant hazard exposure, reflecting its location at the intersection of Texas weather systems and Gulf influences.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Insurance

Sabine residents need robust homeowners coverage for wind, hail, and tornado damage, plus separate wildfire and flood policies to close critical gaps. Creating defensible space around your home—clearing brush and tree limbs—is equally vital for wildfire season, typically summer and fall.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sabine Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Sabine Parish

Risk Verdict

Sabine Parish has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Sabine Parish benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Sabine Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (67th percentile), flood (67th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Sabine Parish's top-ranked natural hazard at the 80th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Tornado at the 72th percentile nationally is Sabine Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Sabine Parish's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

At just 1.4 composite points from the Louisiana average, Sabine Parish's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Sabine 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 Sabine Parish, LA?
Sabine Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 61th 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 Sabine Parish?
Sabine Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (80th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (67th percentile), flooding (67th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 80th 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 Sabine Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Sabine Parish's composite risk percentile is 61th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Sabine Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Sabine Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Sabine Parish's hurricane risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sabine Parish is at the 67th 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 Sabine Parish a safe place to live?
Sabine Parish's composite risk score of 61th 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 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.