riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Terrebonne Parish Disaster Risk

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

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

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Terrebonne faces high national disaster risk

Terrebonne Parish's composite risk score of 94.24 places it among America's most disaster-exposed counties, rated "Relatively Moderate." The parish contends with extreme hurricane and tornado threats that shape resident preparedness.

51% above Louisiana's state average

Terrebonne's 94.24 score significantly exceeds Louisiana's 62.37 average, ranking among the state's most hazard-vulnerable parishes. Only St. Tammany (96.56) and Tangipahoa (93.32) present comparably high exposure.

Third-riskiest parish statewide

Terrebonne Parish (94.24) ranks third in Louisiana disaster risk, trailing only St. Tammany (96.56) and Tangipahoa (93.32), while exceeding St. Landry (88.20), St. Mary (88.93), and all lower-risk parishes. The parish forms part of Louisiana's high-risk southern corridor.

Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate

Hurricane risk reaches 98.41—among the state's highest—while tornado risk of 92.94 creates a severe dual wind threat. Flood risk of 94.00 compounds danger, particularly during tropical systems.

Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Terrebonne residents must maintain homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and tornado coverage, plus mandatory separate flood insurance given the parish's 94.00 flood score. Regular policy reviews ensure adequate limits for the parish's extreme 98.41 hurricane threat.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Terrebonne Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    94th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    93th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Terrebonne Parish

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Terrebonne Parish at the 94th 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 Terrebonne Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (93th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 98th percentile nationally makes Terrebonne Parish a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Terrebonne Parish evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Flood at the 94th percentile nationally is Terrebonne Parish's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Terrebonne 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

Terrebonne Parish is 31.9 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 Terrebonne Parish's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Terrebonne Parish, LA?
Terrebonne Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 94th 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 Terrebonne Parish?
Terrebonne Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (98th percentile), flooding (94th percentile), tornado (93th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 98th 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 Terrebonne Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Terrebonne Parish's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Terrebonne Parish faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is Terrebonne Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Terrebonne Parish's hurricane risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Terrebonne Parish is at the 94th 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 Terrebonne Parish higher risk than average?
Terrebonne Parish's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (98th percentile), along with flooding and tornado and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.