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

West Carroll Parish Disaster Risk

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana

West Carroll Parish among safest in nation

With a composite risk score of 15.39 and very low risk rating, West Carroll Parish ranks among the safest parishes in America. The parish's minimal exposure to major natural disasters makes it exceptional even compared to most national communities.

Louisiana's lowest-risk parish

West Carroll's composite score of 15.39 is the lowest among all 64 Louisiana parishes, sitting dramatically below the state average of 62.37. The parish enjoys protection from its inland, elevated position far from coastal hazards.

Safest in northeast Louisiana

West Carroll's risk profile is substantially lower than neighboring Morehouse and Union parishes, making it the safest community in the region. The parish's flood risk of 9.00 is exceptionally low, and its wildfire risk of 23.66 remains minimal compared to state norms.

Minimal disaster exposure overall

West Carroll's primary concerns are earthquake risk (55.95) and hurricane risk (62.83), though both remain well below statewide averages. Flood risk of 9.00 is exceptionally low, and tornado risk of 42.14 presents minimal concern even by national standards.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

West Carroll residents enjoy one of Louisiana's lowest-risk disaster profiles and can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized additions. Maintaining a basic emergency kit and weather awareness provides ample protection in this unusually safe parish.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in West Carroll Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: West Carroll Parish

Risk Verdict

West Carroll Parish's overall natural disaster score at the 15th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of West Carroll Parish can use the 15th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is West Carroll Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flood (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 63th percentile nationally makes West Carroll Parish a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. West Carroll Parish evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. West Carroll Parish's earthquake exposure at the 56th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. West Carroll 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

West Carroll Parish's composite risk score sits 47.0 points below the Louisiana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for West Carroll 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 West Carroll Parish, LA?
West Carroll Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 West Carroll Parish?
West Carroll Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (63th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), flooding (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 63th 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 West Carroll Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
West Carroll Parish's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means West Carroll Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is West Carroll Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, West Carroll Parish's hurricane risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, West Carroll Parish is at the 9th 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.
Is West Carroll Parish a safe place to live?
West Carroll Parish's composite risk score of 15th percentile is below the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 63th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Tensas Parish

Louisiana

-0.9

Very Low

15th percentile

Red River Parish

Louisiana

+1.3

Very Low

17th percentile

Catahoula Parish

Louisiana

+1.6

Very Low

17th percentile

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.

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