St. Landry Parish Disaster Risk
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
88th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
87th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
St. Landry ranks above national average
With a composite risk score of 88.20, St. Landry Parish faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects the parish's exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes that regularly threaten the region.
Well above Louisiana's typical risk
St. Landry's 88.20 score towers 41% above Louisiana's state average of 62.37, placing it among the riskier parishes statewide. The parish experiences compound threats that most of the state does not face at comparable intensity levels.
Similar risk to southern Louisiana parishes
St. Landry's risk profile closely mirrors that of St. Martin Parish (87.28) and St. Mary Parish (88.93), three southern parishes sharing comparable tornado and hurricane exposure. All three face substantially higher risk than Tensas Parish (14.50) in northeast Louisiana.
Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate
Tornado risk scores an exceptionally high 94.15, while hurricane risk reaches 92.24—making these the two primary threats residents must prepare for. Flooding also registers as significant at 87.44, creating a triple threat during severe weather events.
Bundle coverage for multiple threats
St. Landry residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance that includes coverage for wind damage (hurricanes and tornadoes) and flood damage, which standard policies exclude. A safe room or storm shelter adds crucial protection given the parish's extreme tornado risk of 94.15.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Landry Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Landry Parish
Risk Verdict
St. Landry Parish registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 88th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in St. Landry Parish.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is St. Landry Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (87th percentile), wildfire (65th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile).
Preparedness Context
St. Landry Parish's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 94th percentile nationally. In St. Landry 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. Hurricane is the second hazard driver for St. Landry Parish at the 92th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and hurricane-specific warning systems. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when St. Landry Parish residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to St. Landry Parish households.
Regional Context
St. Landry Parish falls 25.8 points above Louisiana's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for St. Landry 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. Landry Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Landry Parish?
How does St. Landry Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is St. Landry Parish at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Landry 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.