Rapides Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Rapides Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.3, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rapides Parish is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 84.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 75.04 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 11.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 130K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rapides Parish has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Rapides Parish has received 49 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 23 for hurricane events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Rapides Parish ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 75.04 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.21 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 11.42 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | High | 27.62 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.75 / yr | $470K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.39 / yr | $16M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $255K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $903K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $776K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 1.95 / yr | $107K |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.15 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 2.02 / yr | $263K |
| 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
Rapides Parish has received 49 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (23), Flood (10), Coastal Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine |
| August 2023 | Fire | Highway 113 Fire |
| 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 49 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rapides Parish?
Rapides Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rapides Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rapides Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Rapides Parish ranks #22 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rapides Parish had?
FEMA records 49 federal disaster declarations for Rapides Parish since 1965, most often 23 for hurricane events and 10 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. Rapides Parish's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.