Morehouse Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Morehouse Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 55.3, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Morehouse Parish is low, with a National Risk Index score of 55.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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 Morehouse Parish's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $337K in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $907K in expected annual loss and about 19.47 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $461K in expected annual loss and about 3.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morehouse Parish has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Morehouse Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 17 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Morehouse Parish ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.14 / yr | $337K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 19.47 / yr | $907K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.41 / yr | $461K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $674K |
| Drought | Medium | 22.41 / yr | $371K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.29 / yr | $627K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $310K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.46 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Low | 66.04 / yr | $144K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $474K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $139 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Morehouse Parish has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Severe Storm (4), Flood (4).
| 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 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Morehouse Parish?
Morehouse Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 55.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morehouse Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $337K EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $907K EAL), Hail (Medium, $461K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morehouse Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Morehouse Parish ranks #41 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morehouse Parish had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Morehouse Parish since 1977, most often 17 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm 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. Morehouse Parish's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.