Catahoula Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Catahoula Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.0, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Catahoula Parish is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $861K in expected annual loss and about 24.43 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $525K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $329K in expected annual loss and about 18.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Catahoula Parish has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Catahoula Parish has received 45 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for hurricane events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Catahoula Parish ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 24.43 / yr | $861K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $525K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.00 / yr | $329K |
| Hail | Low | 2.50 / yr | $127K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.51 / yr | $268K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.92 / yr | $32K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $375 |
| Lightning | Low | 72.27 / yr | $86K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $268K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $322K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Catahoula Parish has received 45 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (18), Flood (11), Severe Storm (6).
| 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 45 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Catahoula Parish?
Catahoula Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Catahoula Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $861K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $525K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $329K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Catahoula Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Catahoula Parish ranks #59 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Catahoula Parish had?
FEMA records 45 federal disaster declarations for Catahoula Parish since 1965, most often 18 for hurricane events and 11 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. Catahoula Parish's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.