Bossier Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Bossier Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.5, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bossier Parish at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Bossier Parish's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.53 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 20.68 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 64.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $48M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bossier Parish has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Bossier Parish has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 17 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Bossier Parish ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.53 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | High | 20.68 / yr | $14M |
| Lightning | High | 64.44 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.31 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.03 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $5M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $935K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.43 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $886K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 25.14 / yr | $330K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.84 / yr | $65K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $849 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| 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
Bossier Parish has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Flood (4), Severe Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bossier Parish?
Bossier Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bossier Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $4M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $14M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bossier Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Bossier Parish ranks #23 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bossier Parish had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Bossier Parish since 1977, most often 17 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 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. Bossier Parish's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.