riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

St. Mary Parish Disaster Risk

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

93th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Advisory: St. Mary Parish

Risk Verdict

St. Mary Parish has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for St. Mary Parish, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 93th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (86th), earthquake (44th), wildfire (15th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, St. Mary Parish residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

St. Mary Parish is significantly riskier than the average county in Louisiana. Its composite risk score is 26.6 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in St. Mary Parish, LA?
St. Mary Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 St. Mary Parish?
St. Mary Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (97th percentile), flooding (93th percentile), tornado (86th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 97th 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 St. Mary Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
St. Mary Parish's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means St. Mary Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is St. Mary Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, St. Mary Parish's hurricane risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, St. Mary Parish is at the 93th 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.
Why is St. Mary Parish higher risk than average?
St. Mary Parish's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Acadia Parish

Louisiana

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

St. Landry Parish

Louisiana

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

Ouachita Parish

Louisiana

-1.4

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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