Vernon Parish, Louisiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · LA
LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Vernon Parish is low, with a National Risk Index score of 68.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
Most of Vernon Parish's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $623K in expected annual loss and about 74.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 49K.
Beyond physical exposure, Vernon Parish has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Vernon Parish has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 19 for hurricane events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 64 Louisiana counties, Vernon Parish ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Vernon Parish has received 39 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (19), Fire (4), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine |
| August 2023 | Fire | Highway 113 Fire |
| August 2023 | Fire | Lions Camp Road Fire |
| August 2023 | Fire | Ida Fire |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 39 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Vernon Parish had?
FEMA records 39 federal disaster declarations for Vernon Parish since 1977, most often 19 for hurricane events and 4 for fire 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. Vernon Parish's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.