St. James Parish
Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 71th
St. James Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.0, 71th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.28 / yr | $13M |
| Drought | High | 21.65 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.76 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.74 / yr | $549K |
| Lightning | Low | 88.40 / yr | $168K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $576K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.20 / yr | $103K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $60K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.22 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.18 / yr | $167K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $18 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for St. James Parish?
St. James Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 71th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. James Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $13M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. James Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
St. James Parish ranks #31 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. St. James Parish's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.