Tensas Parish Disaster Risk
Tensas Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
15th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#62
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
8th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% 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 Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Tensas Parish, Louisiana
Tensas Parish faces minimal disaster risk
Tensas Parish's composite risk score of 14.50 places it among America's safest counties, earning a "Very Low" rating. The parish confronts substantially lower natural disaster exposure than the typical U.S. location.
Louisiana's lowest-risk parish
At 14.50, Tensas Parish scores 77% below Louisiana's state average of 62.37, making it by far the state's safest parish. No other Louisiana parish approaches Tensas's low-risk profile.
Dramatically safer than all peers
Tensas Parish (14.50) faces a fraction of the risk posed by neighboring parishes like Union (49.65), St. Landry (88.20), and St. Mary (88.93). The parish represents an anomaly of safety within Louisiana's generally high-risk landscape.
Tornado risk stands above all others
Tornado risk of 45.99 represents Tensas Parish's primary threat, though this remains well below state and national averages. Hurricane risk of 70.25 and flood risk of 8.05 present minimal danger to residents.
Standard homeowners insurance suffices
Tensas Parish residents benefit from below-average disaster risk, meaning standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without specialized flood or hurricane riders. A basic home safety plan addresses the modest tornado threat.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Tensas Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Tensas Parish
Risk Verdict
Tensas Parish sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 15th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 15th percentile nationally is an advantage for Tensas Parish — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Tensas Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (37th percentile), flood (8th percentile), wildfire (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 70th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Tensas 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. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 46th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Tensas Parish independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Tensas Parish households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.
Regional Context
Tensas Parish falls 47.9 points below Louisiana's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Tensas Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Tensas Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect Tensas Parish?
How does Tensas Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is Tensas Parish at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Tensas Parish a safe place to live?
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.