Rapides Parish
Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Rapides Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.3, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 75.04 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.21 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.42 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 27.62 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.75 / yr | $470K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.39 / yr | $16M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $255K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $903K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $776K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.95 / yr | $107K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 2.02 / yr | $263K |
| 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 Rapides Parish?
Rapides Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rapides Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rapides Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Rapides Parish ranks #22 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. Rapides Parish's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.