Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Plaquemines Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.9, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Plaquemines Parish at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 73rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.02 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $961K in expected annual loss and about 27.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Plaquemines Parish has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Plaquemines Parish has received 45 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 32 for hurricane events and 4 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Plaquemines Parish ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.27 / yr | $19M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 4.02 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 27.63 / yr | $961K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 11.07 / yr | $589K |
| Lightning | Low | 81.19 / yr | $216K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.64 / yr | $709K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.68 / yr | $773K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $96K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $61 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $28K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Plaquemines Parish has received 45 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (32), Coastal Storm (4), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Francine |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine |
| September 2023 | Other | Seawater Intrusion |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 45 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Plaquemines Parish?
Plaquemines Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Plaquemines Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $19M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $3M EAL), Drought (Medium, $961K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Plaquemines Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Plaquemines Parish ranks #30 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Plaquemines Parish had?
FEMA records 45 federal disaster declarations for Plaquemines Parish since 1965, most often 32 for hurricane events and 4 for coastal storm 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. Plaquemines Parish's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.