Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Ouachita Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.5, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $50M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Ouachita Parish is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 87.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.17 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 21.11 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $50M in expected annual loss for a population of 160K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ouachita Parish has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Ouachita Parish has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 20 for hurricane events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Ouachita Parish ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.17 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | High | 21.11 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | High | 0.49 / yr | $10M |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.62 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 67.86 / yr | $774K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $22M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.26 / yr | $979K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.24 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.95 / yr | $54K |
| Drought | Low | 20.85 / yr | $82K |
| 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
Ouachita Parish has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (20), Flood (7), Severe Storm (5).
| 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 44 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ouachita Parish?
Ouachita Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ouachita Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $6M EAL), Tornado (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ouachita Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Ouachita Parish ranks #17 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ouachita Parish had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for Ouachita Parish since 1965, most often 20 for hurricane events and 7 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. Ouachita Parish's $50M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.