St. Bernard Parish Disaster Risk
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
76th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#26
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 51% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
St. Bernard: High Risk, Hurricane-Prone
St. Bernard Parish scores 75.60, well above the national average, driven largely by exceptional hurricane risk (95.54) and severe flood vulnerability (74.40). The parish's coastal position near New Orleans exposes it to tropical systems, storm surge, and extended hurricane damage.
Top Tier of Louisiana Risk
St. Bernard Parish ranks among Louisiana's highest-risk parishes with a composite score of 75.60, exceeding the state average of 62.37 by 21%. Only the southernmost coastal parishes and St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes face comparable or greater disaster exposure.
Coastal Risk Hotspot
St. Bernard Parish (75.60) exceeds all northern parishes but falls slightly below the extreme risk profiles of St. Charles (85.05) and St. John the Baptist (81.52). The parish's southeastern location puts it directly in the path of hurricanes approaching the Mississippi River delta and Gulf Coast.
Hurricane and Flood Dominate
Hurricane risk (95.54) and flood risk (74.40) are St. Bernard's defining hazards, reflecting the parish's proximity to the coast and Mississippi River. Tornado risk (50.89) adds a secondary but significant concern during severe weather seasons.
Critical: Flood and Hurricane Coverage
St. Bernard residents must carry both standard homeowners insurance and a separate flood policy, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Elevating homes, installing storm shutters, and reinforcing roofs are essential investments; consider wind mitigation inspections to lower insurance premiums.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Bernard Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Bernard Parish
Risk Verdict
St. Bernard Parish ranks at the 76th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is St. Bernard Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (51th percentile), wildfire (39th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
St. Bernard Parish ranks at the 96th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. St. Bernard Parish's flood exposure at the 74th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For extended post-storm outages common in St. Bernard Parish's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
Compared to other Louisiana counties, St. Bernard Parish runs 13.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for St. Bernard Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in St. Bernard Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Bernard Parish?
How does St. Bernard Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is St. Bernard Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Bernard 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.