Bienville Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Bienville Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.7, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bienville Parish is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.59 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $585K in expected annual loss and about 20.74 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $598K in expected annual loss and about 5.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bienville Parish has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Bienville Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 16 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Bienville Parish ranks #56 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.59 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.74 / yr | $585K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 5.43 / yr | $598K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $294K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.72 / yr | $858K |
| Lightning | Low | 66.74 / yr | $136K |
| Drought | Low | 31.78 / yr | $56K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $106K |
| Hail | Low | 4.45 / yr | $114K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $314 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.79 / yr | $14K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $69K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Bienville Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Flood (4), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine |
| September 2021 | Coastal Storm | Tropical Storm Nicholas |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ida |
| March 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bienville Parish?
Bienville Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bienville Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $585K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $598K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bienville Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Bienville Parish ranks #56 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bienville Parish had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Bienville Parish since 1977, most often 16 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in February 2026.
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. Bienville Parish's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.