De Soto Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 42th
De Soto Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.0, 42th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in De Soto Parish is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 42.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 42nd 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.53 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 20.68 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $188K in expected annual loss and about 1.40 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, De Soto 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.
History supports the rating: De Soto Parish has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1991, including 17 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, De Soto Parish ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.53 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 20.68 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.40 / yr | $188K |
| Hail | Low | 4.61 / yr | $380K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $318K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Lightning | Low | 66.30 / yr | $188K |
| Drought | Low | 23.60 / yr | $114K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.80 / yr | $859K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $119K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.63 / yr | $31K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $285K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $211 |
| 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
De Soto Parish has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1991, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Severe Storm (4), Winter Storm (2).
| 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 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for De Soto Parish?
De Soto Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 42th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in De Soto Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $188K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does De Soto Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
De Soto Parish ranks #44 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has De Soto Parish had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for De Soto Parish since 1991, most often 17 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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. De Soto Parish's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.