Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Jefferson Davis Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.3, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jefferson Davis Parish carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Jefferson Davis Parish's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 27.39 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $934K in expected annual loss and about 80.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jefferson Davis Parish has a 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.
The federal record bears this out: Jefferson Davis Parish has received 42 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 25 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Jefferson Davis Parish ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 27.39 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | High | 80.41 / yr | $934K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $221K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $124K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.47 / yr | $352K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.76 / yr | $43K |
| Hail | Low | 1.46 / yr | $135K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $73K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.50 / yr | $157K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $11 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jefferson Davis Parish has received 42 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (25), Severe Storm (4), Coastal Storm (3).
| 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 42 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jefferson Davis Parish?
Jefferson Davis Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jefferson Davis Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $10M EAL), Lightning (High, $934K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jefferson Davis Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Jefferson Davis Parish ranks #27 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jefferson Davis Parish had?
FEMA records 42 federal disaster declarations for Jefferson Davis Parish since 1971, most often 25 for hurricane events and 4 for severe 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. Jefferson Davis Parish's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.