St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
St. Bernard Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.6, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.24 / yr | $25M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 82.61 / yr | $550K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.29 / yr | $848K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 1.18 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Drought | Low | 25.56 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $137K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.25 / yr | $23K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $120K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $18 |
| Avalanche | 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 St. Bernard Parish?
St. Bernard Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. Bernard Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $25M EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $2M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $550K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. Bernard Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
St. Bernard Parish ranks #26 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. St. Bernard Parish's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.