St. James Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates St. James Parish at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 71.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 71st 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 — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 21.65 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.76 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, St. James 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.
History supports the rating: St. James Parish has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 27 for hurricane events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, St. James Parish ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
St. James Parish has received 44 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (27), Flood (5), Coastal Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Francine |
| 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 |
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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has St. James Parish had?
FEMA records 44 federal disaster declarations for St. James Parish since 1965, most often 27 for hurricane events and 5 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. St. James Parish's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.