Union Parish Disaster Risk
Union Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#43
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Union Parish, Louisiana
Union Parish faces below-average risk
Union Parish's composite risk score of 49.65 places it below typical U.S. disaster exposure, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The parish confronts moderate natural hazards compared to national averages.
20% below Louisiana's state average
At 49.65, Union Parish scores 20% lower than Louisiana's 62.37 state average, making it one of the state's safer parishes. Yet it remains more exposed than the exceptional safety of Tensas Parish (14.50).
Safer than most Louisiana parishes
Union Parish (49.65) faces substantially lower risk than St. Landry (88.20), St. Mary (88.93), Tangipahoa (93.32), and most other parishes statewide. Only Tensas Parish (14.50) presents markedly lower exposure.
Tornadoes present primary threat
Tornado risk of 64.60 represents Union Parish's primary hazard, though well below state averages in high-risk parishes. Flood risk of 57.76 and hurricane risk of 64.33 provide secondary concerns.
Standard coverage addresses most needs
Union Parish residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage to address moderate tornado risk. While below-average, the parish's 57.76 flood score suggests reviewing flood insurance availability and considering coverage depending on local geography.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Union Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Union Parish
Risk Verdict
At the 50th percentile nationally, Union Parish experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. The 50th percentile national ranking is one lens; Union Parish residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Union Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (58th percentile), earthquake (53th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Union Parish's primary hazard, tornado, ranks at the 65th percentile nationally. In Union 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. Alongside tornado exposure, hurricane at the 64th percentile nationally means Union Parish households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. The highest-risk window for tornado fatalities is overnight, when Union Parish residents may be asleep. A NOAA weather radio with overnight alert capability is the single most impactful low-cost preparedness step available to Union Parish households.
Regional Context
Compared to the Louisiana county average, Union Parish's composite score runs 12.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Union Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Union Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect Union Parish?
How does Union Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is Union Parish at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Union 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.