St. John the Baptist Parish Disaster Risk
St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
82th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#24
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
75th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 12% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% 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 High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
St. John the Baptist: Extreme Risk Zone
St. John the Baptist Parish scores 81.52, significantly exceeding the national average and earning a relatively moderate risk rating. The parish faces near-maximum hurricane risk (95.74) and severe flood risk (75.40), along with the nation's highest tornado risk (79.74).
Second-Highest Risk in Louisiana
St. John the Baptist Parish ranks as Louisiana's second-riskiest parish with a composite score of 81.52, 31% above the state average of 62.37. Only St. Charles Parish (85.05) exceeds this parish's comprehensive disaster exposure.
Extreme Risk Coastal Cluster
St. John the Baptist Parish (81.52) approaches St. Charles Parish (85.05) to the south and substantially exceeds St. James Parish (71.02) to the northwest. The parish sits in Louisiana's most dangerous zone, combining Gulf hurricane exposure with lower Mississippi River flood corridors.
Hurricane, Tornado, Flood Trio
St. John the Baptist faces North America's highest tornado risk (79.74), near-maximum hurricane risk (95.74), and severe flood risk (75.40)—a rare triple concentration. This combination demands year-round hazard preparedness for multiple threat types.
Maximum Protection Non-Negotiable
St. John the Baptist residents must carry comprehensive homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and consider wind/hurricane-specific policies to ensure full coverage gaps. Storm shelters, elevated foundations, and updated evacuation plans are essential safety measures—contact your parish emergency management office for mitigation resources.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. John the Baptist Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. John the Baptist Parish
Risk Verdict
FEMA's National Risk Index rates St. John the Baptist Parish at the 82th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is St. John the Baptist Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), earthquake (37th percentile), wildfire (12th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane exposure at the 96th percentile nationally makes St. John the Baptist Parish a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. St. John the Baptist Parish evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 80th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for St. John the Baptist Parish independent of hurricane season. St. John the Baptist 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
St. John the Baptist Parish is 19.2 composite risk points above the Louisiana average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for St. John the Baptist 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. John the Baptist Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect St. John the Baptist Parish?
How does St. John the Baptist Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is St. John the Baptist Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. John the Baptist 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.