Washington Parish
Louisiana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Washington Parish faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.5, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.18 / yr | $17M |
| Drought | High | 16.44 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 13.54 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $249K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Low | 2.78 / yr | $378K |
| Lightning | Medium | 81.38 / yr | $327K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.17 / yr | $587K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.81 / yr | $88K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.95 / yr | $740K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $215K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 1.26 / yr | $36K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $392 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington Parish?
Washington Parish has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington Parish?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $17M EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington Parish compare to other Louisiana counties?
Washington Parish ranks #19 of 64 Louisiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Washington Parish's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.