St. James Parish Disaster Risk
St. James Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
71th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#31
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. James Parish, Louisiana
St. James Faces Elevated National Risk
St. James Parish scores 71.02, well above the national average and earning a relatively low risk rating. The parish confronts severe hurricane (94.12) and flood risks (83.40), compounded by above-average tornado exposure (67.56).
High Risk Among Louisiana Parishes
St. James Parish ranks in Louisiana's upper tier with a composite score of 71.02, exceeding the state average of 62.37 by 14%. The parish's position along the Mississippi River corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge concentrates disaster exposure.
Riskier Than Inland Peers
St. James Parish (71.02) significantly exceeds inland parishes like St. Helena (36.29) and Richland (36.67) but sits below the extreme coastal exposure of St. Charles (85.05) and St. John the Baptist (81.52). The parish's river-level location creates unique hurricane surge and riverine flood vulnerability.
Flood, Hurricane, Tornado Threats
St. James Parish faces critical flood risk (83.40) and hurricane risk (94.12), reflecting its Mississippi River corridor location and Gulf proximity. Tornado risk (67.56) adds a third major hazard, particularly during spring and summer severe weather seasons.
Flood and Wind Insurance Essential
St. James residents must obtain homeowners insurance plus a separate flood policy—standard policies do not cover flood damage from rivers or heavy rain. Elevating utilities, installing backflow preventers, and maintaining evacuation routes are critical actions for river-level properties.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. James Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. James Parish
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 71th, St. James Parish faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is St. James Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (68th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 94th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, St. James Parish households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. St. James Parish's flood exposure at the 83th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. St. James Parish households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.
Regional Context
At 8.7 points above the Louisiana state average, St. James Parish carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Louisiana county.
Is your household prepared for St. James 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. James Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect St. James Parish?
How does St. James Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is St. James Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. James 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.