Livingston Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Livingston Parish faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.5, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $166M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Livingston Parish at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 94.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 94th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. 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 — $62M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $76M in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $166M in expected annual loss for a population of 142K.
Beyond physical exposure, Livingston Parish has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Livingston Parish has received 52 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 29 for hurricane events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Livingston Parish ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.24 / yr | $62M |
| Tornado | High | 0.58 / yr | $13M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 0.50 / yr | $76M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 14.86 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 85.93 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.95 / yr | $5M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $320K |
| Hail | Medium | 1.69 / yr | $735K |
| Drought | Medium | 20.58 / yr | $467K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $737K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $415K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $72K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.11 / yr | $31K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $193 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Livingston Parish has received 52 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (29), Flood (7), Coastal Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Francine |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 52 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Livingston Parish?
Livingston Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.5 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Livingston Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $62M EAL), Tornado (High, $13M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $76M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Livingston Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Livingston Parish ranks #7 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Livingston Parish had?
FEMA records 52 federal disaster declarations for Livingston Parish since 1965, most often 29 for hurricane events and 7 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. Livingston Parish's $166M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.