Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Terrebonne Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.2, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $141M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Terrebonne Parish is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 94.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 94th 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 Very High risk — $89M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 4.20 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 12.92 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $141M in expected annual loss for a population of 109K.
Beyond physical exposure, Terrebonne 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.
The federal record bears this out: Terrebonne Parish has received 53 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 31 for hurricane events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Arthur (tropical storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Terrebonne Parish ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.28 / yr | $89M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 4.20 / yr | $9M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.92 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.71 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 87.67 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Medium | 28.12 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $20M |
| Hail | Low | 0.56 / yr | $505K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 0.37 / yr | $76K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $329K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.56 / yr | $323K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $142 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / 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
Terrebonne Parish has received 53 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Tropical Storm Arthur in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (31), Flood (8), Coastal Storm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Arthur |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 53 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Terrebonne Parish?
Terrebonne Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Terrebonne Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very High, $89M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $9M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Terrebonne Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Terrebonne Parish ranks #8 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Terrebonne Parish had?
FEMA records 53 federal disaster declarations for Terrebonne Parish since 1965, most often 31 for hurricane events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Arthur, declared in June 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. Terrebonne Parish's $141M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.