Madison Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Madison Parish faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.4, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Madison Parish carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $909K in expected annual loss and about 21.15 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $716K in expected annual loss and about 3.38 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $380K in expected annual loss and about 3.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Madison 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: Madison Parish has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for hurricane events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Madison Parish ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 21.15 / yr | $909K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.38 / yr | $716K |
| Hail | Low | 3.66 / yr | $380K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $337K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 19.63 / yr | $407K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.88 / yr | $66K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $163K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $277K |
| Lightning | Low | 67.75 / yr | $61K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $52 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.37 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $932 |
| 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
Madison Parish has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), Flood (5), Severe Storm (3).
| 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 Madison Parish?
Madison Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $909K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $716K EAL), Hail (Low, $380K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Madison Parish ranks #51 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Madison Parish had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Madison Parish since 1973, most often 16 for hurricane events and 5 for flood 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. Madison Parish's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.