Webster Parish Disaster Risk
Webster Parish, Louisiana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
70th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#33
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 42% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Webster Parish, Louisiana
Webster Parish below national risk average
With a composite risk score of 69.53, Webster Parish falls in the relatively low risk category and sits below the national average. The parish benefits from an inland location that reduces hurricane and flood exposure compared to coastal Louisiana communities.
Lower-risk parish among Louisiana counties
Webster's composite score of 69.53 places it above the state average of 62.37 but in the lower-risk tier of Louisiana parishes. The parish's diverse risk profile—balanced across flood, tornado, earthquake, and hurricane hazards—differs from the coast-dominated exposure seen in high-risk parishes.
Similar risk profile to north Louisiana peers
Webster's risk level closely matches neighboring Morehouse and Ouachita parishes, with tornado risk serving as the common concern across the region. The parish's hurricane risk of 70.92 remains lower than southern Louisiana parishes but higher than western neighbors.
Tornadoes and earthquakes require attention
Webster's tornado risk of 78.21 and earthquake risk of 69.56 present the parish's most distinctive hazard exposures. Flood risk of 64.98 is moderate but notable during heavy precipitation, while hurricane risk of 70.92 reflects the parish's distance from the Gulf.
Balance tornado and earthquake preparedness
Webster homeowners should ensure wind coverage in their homeowners policies and identify or build a safe room for tornado season. While earthquake risk is moderate, securing heavy furniture and reviewing structural soundness provides dual protection across the parish's primary hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Webster Parish
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Webster Parish
Risk Verdict
Webster Parish sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 70th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Webster Parish's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Webster Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (70th percentile), flood (65th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 78th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Webster Parish is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Webster Parish's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 71th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Webster Parish's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Webster Parish residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 7.2 points above the Louisiana state average puts Webster Parish in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Webster Parish's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Webster Parish, LA?
What types of natural hazards affect Webster Parish?
How does Webster Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
Is Webster Parish at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Webster 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.