St. Tammany Parish Disaster Risk
St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
97th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
94th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
St. Tammany faces highest national exposure
St. Tammany Parish's composite risk score of 96.56 places it among America's most disaster-prone counties, earning a "Relatively High" rating. The parish confronts extreme exposure across multiple hazard types simultaneously.
Louisiana's riskiest parish by far
St. Tammany's score of 96.56 soars 55% above Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it the single riskiest parish in the entire state. No other Louisiana parish approaches St. Tammany's exposure level.
Substantially riskier than surrounding parishes
St. Tammany (96.56) far exceeds nearby Tangipahoa Parish (93.32) and surpasses every other adjacent parish statewide. Only St. Tammany carries a "Relatively High" rating; all others rank "Relatively Moderate" or lower.
All hazards present acute threats
Hurricane risk reaches 98.92—the state's highest—while flood risk of 94.21 and tornado risk of 86.58 create a severe triple threat. Wildfire risk of 89.57 also stands exceptionally high, adding a fourth seasonal danger.
Maximum protection is essential
St. Tammany residents should invest in comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind coverage, separate flood insurance, and consider a safe room or shelter given the extreme tornado risk of 86.58. Verify that coverage limits reflect the parish's exceptional 98.92 hurricane threat.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Tammany Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Tammany Parish
Risk Verdict
St. Tammany Parish's composite risk score ranks at the 97th percentile nationally, reflecting genuine multi-hazard exposure for residents. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for St. Tammany Parish residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is St. Tammany Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (90th percentile), tornado (87th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, St. Tammany Parish sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood at the 94th percentile nationally is St. Tammany Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. St. Tammany Parish households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The Louisiana county average is 34.2 composite points below St. Tammany Parish's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for St. Tammany 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. Tammany Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Tammany Parish?
How does St. Tammany Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is St. Tammany Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Tammany 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.