Caldwell Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Caldwell Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.5, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Caldwell Parish at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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.
Most of Caldwell Parish's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $208K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $396K in expected annual loss and about 21.05 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $160K in expected annual loss and about 32.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Caldwell Parish has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Caldwell Parish has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for hurricane events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Caldwell Parish ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $208K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 21.05 / yr | $396K |
| Drought | Low | 32.08 / yr | $160K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.00 / yr | $57K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.51 / yr | $372K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $684K |
| Hail | Low | 3.13 / yr | $135K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $147 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 69.13 / yr | $60K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $111K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Caldwell Parish has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (18), Flood (7), Severe Storm (4).
| 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 38 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Caldwell Parish?
Caldwell Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Caldwell Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $208K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $396K EAL), Drought (Low, $160K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Caldwell Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Caldwell Parish ranks #64 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Caldwell Parish had?
FEMA records 38 federal disaster declarations for Caldwell Parish since 1965, most often 18 for hurricane events and 7 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. Caldwell Parish's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.