Iberia Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Iberia Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.6, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $64M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Iberia Parish at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $33M in expected annual loss and about 0.21 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 87.83 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 22.28 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $64M in expected annual loss for a population of 70K.
Beyond physical exposure, Iberia Parish has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Iberia Parish has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 30 for hurricane events and 4 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Iberia Parish ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.21 / yr | $33M |
| Lightning | High | 87.83 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | High | 22.28 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.56 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.98 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.29 / yr | $15M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 4.23 / yr | $918K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $98K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.79 / yr | $40K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.60 / yr | $307K |
| Hail | Low | 0.93 / yr | $126K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $52 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Iberia Parish has received 43 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (30), Coastal Storm (4), Flood (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 |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 43 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Iberia Parish?
Iberia Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Iberia Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $33M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Iberia Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Iberia Parish ranks #13 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Iberia Parish had?
FEMA records 43 federal disaster declarations for Iberia Parish since 1965, most often 30 for hurricane events and 4 for coastal storm 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. Iberia Parish's $64M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.