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

West Feliciana Parish Disaster Risk

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

West Feliciana well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 34.73 and very low risk rating, West Feliciana Parish sits substantially below the national average. The parish benefits from an inland position that limits exposure to coastal hazards.

Lower-risk parish in Louisiana

West Feliciana's composite score of 34.73 places it among Louisiana's safer parishes, well below the state average of 62.37. The parish avoids the elevated risks concentrated in coastal regions and tornado-prone northern areas.

Safer than surrounding parishes

West Feliciana's risk level is notably lower than neighboring East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes, offering greater protection across multiple hazard types. The parish's flood risk of 31.46 is among the lowest in south-central Louisiana.

Tornado and hurricane risks moderate

West Feliciana's most notable threats are tornado risk (64.95) and hurricane risk (78.22), though both remain below statewide averages. Flood and wildfire risks are relatively low at 31.46 and 37.63 respectively, creating an unusually balanced hazard profile.

Tornado preparedness and wind coverage key

West Feliciana residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes wind coverage and identify a safe room for tornado season. The parish's moderate disaster profile allows standard insurance to adequately cover most risks without costly specialized additions.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in West Feliciana Parish

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: West Feliciana Parish

Risk Verdict

West Feliciana Parish carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 35th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 35th percentile score positions West Feliciana Parish among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is West Feliciana Parish's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (38th percentile), flood (31th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

West Feliciana Parish's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 78th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 65th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for West Feliciana Parish independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for West Feliciana Parish storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Louisiana county average, West Feliciana Parish's composite score runs 27.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for West Feliciana 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 Feliciana Parish, LA?
West Feliciana Parish has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Feliciana Parish?
West Feliciana Parish is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (78th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), earthquake (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 78th 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 Feliciana Parish risk compare to the Louisiana average?
West Feliciana Parish's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Louisiana state average of 62th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means West Feliciana Parish faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Louisiana.
Is West Feliciana Parish at risk for hurricane?
Yes, West Feliciana Parish's hurricane risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, West Feliciana Parish is at the 31th 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 Feliciana Parish a safe place to live?
West Feliciana Parish's composite risk score of 35th 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 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.