LaSalle Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
LaSalle Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.2, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
LaSalle Parish carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $334K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $619K in expected annual loss and about 21.63 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $61K in expected annual loss and about 0.94 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, LaSalle Parish has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: LaSalle Parish has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 17 for hurricane events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, LaSalle Parish ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $334K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 21.63 / yr | $619K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.94 / yr | $61K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $109K |
| Lightning | Low | 72.38 / yr | $116K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.67 / yr | $307K |
| Drought | Low | 32.59 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $499K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $217 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $248K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.54 / yr | $64K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $9K |
| 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
LaSalle Parish has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Flood (9), Severe 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
| 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 LaSalle Parish?
LaSalle Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in LaSalle Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $334K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $619K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $61K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does LaSalle Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
LaSalle Parish ranks #63 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has LaSalle Parish had?
FEMA records 38 federal disaster declarations for LaSalle Parish since 1973, most often 17 for hurricane events and 9 for flood 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. LaSalle Parish's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.