Ouachita Parish
Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Ouachita Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.5, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.17 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | High | 21.11 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | High | 0.49 / yr | $10M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.62 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 67.86 / yr | $774K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $22M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.26 / yr | $979K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.95 / yr | $54K |
| Drought | Low | 20.85 / yr | $82K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ouachita Parish?
Ouachita Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ouachita Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $6M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ouachita Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Ouachita Parish ranks #17 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Ouachita Parish's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.