Union Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Union Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.7, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Union Parish at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $625K in expected annual loss and about 1.28 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.80 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $847K in expected annual loss and about 20.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Union Parish has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Union Parish has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 17 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in February 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Union Parish ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.28 / yr | $625K |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.80 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 20.84 / yr | $847K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.67 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $216K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $209K |
| Hail | Low | 3.65 / yr | $169K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Drought | Low | 26.43 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Low | 65.65 / yr | $102K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $135K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.16 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Union Parish has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in February 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Severe Storm (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Union Parish?
Union Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Union Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $625K EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $847K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Union Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Union Parish ranks #43 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Union Parish had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Union Parish since 1977, most often 17 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in February 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. Union Parish's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.