Vermilion Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Vermilion Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.8, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $44M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Vermilion Parish carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 27.02 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 85.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $44M in expected annual loss for a population of 57K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vermilion Parish has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The federal record bears this out: Vermilion Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 28 for hurricane events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Vermilion Parish ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 27.02 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.17 / yr | $19M |
| Lightning | High | 85.59 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $15M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 9.79 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 4.79 / yr | $705K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $131K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $85K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.90 / yr | $413K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.94 / yr | $76K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $116K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $29 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Vermilion Parish has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (28), Flood (6), Coastal Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta |
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 Vermilion Parish?
Vermilion Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Vermilion Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (High, $19M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Vermilion Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Vermilion Parish ranks #21 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Vermilion Parish had?
FEMA records 46 federal disaster declarations for Vermilion Parish since 1971, most often 28 for hurricane events and 6 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. Vermilion Parish's $44M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.