Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Pointe Coupee Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.1, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pointe Coupee Parish carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 63.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.95 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 20.01 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pointe Coupee 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 federal record bears this out: Pointe Coupee Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 23 for hurricane events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Pointe Coupee Parish ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.95 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | High | 20.01 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.11 / yr | $526K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.86 / yr | $81K |
| Lightning | Low | 82.37 / yr | $135K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.15 / yr | $261K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $155 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.73 / yr | $55K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Pointe Coupee Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (23), Flood (11), Coastal Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 46 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pointe Coupee Parish?
Pointe Coupee Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pointe Coupee Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pointe Coupee Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Pointe Coupee Parish ranks #36 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pointe Coupee Parish had?
FEMA records 46 federal disaster declarations for Pointe Coupee Parish since 1965, most often 23 for hurricane events and 11 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. Pointe Coupee Parish's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.