Vernon Parish

Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

68.9

National percentile: 69th

Vernon Parish faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.9, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $22M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 49K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Medium $4M/yr
Tornado
Medium $4M/yr
Lightning
High $623K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane Medium 0.10 / yr $4M
Tornado Medium 1.12 / yr $4M
Lightning High 74.26 / yr $623K
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $314K
Ice Storm Medium 0.80 / yr $258K
Heat Wave Low 10.79 / yr $832K
Cold Wave Medium 1.21 / yr $2M
Riverine Flood Low 1.00 / yr $9M
Strong Wind Medium 1.62 / yr $631K
Winter Weather Low 1.89 / yr $46K
Landslide Very Low 0.28 / yr $673
Hail Low 2.15 / yr $152K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $122K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Drought Very Low 30.90 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Vernon Parish?

Vernon Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Vernon Parish?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Lightning (High, $623K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Vernon Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?

Vernon Parish ranks #34 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Vernon Parish's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.