St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
St. John the Baptist Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.5, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $46M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
St. John the Baptist Parish carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 81.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $28M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 23.56 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $46M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, St. John the Baptist 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.
History supports the rating: St. John the Baptist Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 30 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, St. John the Baptist Parish ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.28 / yr | $28M |
| Drought | Medium | 23.56 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $4M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.76 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.74 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 87.57 / yr | $519K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 1.31 / yr | $243K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.31 / yr | $49K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $131K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.89 / yr | $29K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.26 / yr | $274K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $13 |
| 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. John the Baptist Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (30), Coastal Storm (4), Flood (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 46 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for St. John the Baptist Parish?
St. John the Baptist Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in St. John the Baptist Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $28M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does St. John the Baptist Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
St. John the Baptist Parish ranks #24 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has St. John the Baptist Parish had?
FEMA records 46 federal disaster declarations for St. John the Baptist Parish since 1965, most often 30 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. St. John the Baptist Parish's $46M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.