What is the overall home-hazard rating in Louisiana?

Louisiana scores Moderate overall on our statewide scale. That average can hide one severe local peril — open the highest-rated hazard pages and then verify your address.

Does a standard homeowners policy cover the main risks in Louisiana?

Standard homeowners insurance almost never covers flood. You need a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and it usually has a waiting period.

How should I use this Louisiana page?

Treat it as a briefing, not a determination. Check the hazard list, open the pages rated Major or Extreme, then confirm the parcel on FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps and with Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Louisiana Home Hazard Risk: Flood & Hurricane

How to use this profile

Scan the hazard list. Anything rated Major or Extreme is the next page to open.
Read the insurance note — flood and earthquake are usually separate policies.
Look up your ZIP, then confirm the address on the official maps linked from each hazard page.

You're flying into Louisiana this weekend to look at a house, and you've got about 48 hours to figure out if the place is a good bet. Start with the two risks that will shape your mortgage, your insurance, and your weekends for as long as you own the home: flooding and hurricanes. Both rate 5 out of 5 on our hazard scale, and they are not abstract. In many parishes, the flood zone letter on a lender's form matters more than the school district.

Louisiana's emergency management agency, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, runs the state's response and recovery. But you don't want to meet them after a storm. Before you make an offer, pull the FEMA flood map for the address and ask the seller for an elevation certificate. If the house is in a high-risk zone and you can't get one, that's a red flag. Flood insurance through NFIP is separate from your homeowners policy, and in south Louisiana it is often required.

Hurricanes bring wind, storm surge, and days without power. Where you buy matters: a house 20 miles inland can face different surge and wind risks than one near the coast. Check the NOAA National Hurricane Center's history for your county, and look at the evacuation zone. If you have to drive an hour to get out, plan for that. Extreme heat is another serious concern here, which drives up cooling costs and health risks for kids and older adults.

My first move with limited time and money: get a flood insurance quote before you fall in love with the house. That number will tell you more than any inspection about what you're really buying. Then check the Ready.gov hurricane page and make a plan. Louisiana is a great place to live, but it rewards buyers who do their homework early.

Risk levels in Louisiana

Statewide scores, highest first. A neighborhood can look different from the state average — use these to decide which official map to open.

Flooding Louisiana is one of the riskiest states for flooding, and it’s not just the coast — heavy rain, rivers, and storm surge can hit almost… Extreme Hurricanes Louisiana is rated at the highest level (5 of 5) for hurricane risk, with the entire Gulf coastline exposed to storm surge, damaging wind,… Extreme Extreme Heat Louisiana's heat is a 5 out of 5 risk for homes, and it's not just about being uncomfortable. From cracked slabs in Shreveport to AC… Extreme Severe Storms Louisiana sits at a level 4 out of 5 for severe storms, so hail, wind, and tornadoes are a real part of owning a home here. If you’re… Major Tornadoes Tornadoes are a year-round risk in Louisiana, which lies in the region known as 'Dixie Alley' where storms can strike in any month, with… Moderate Drought Louisiana's drought risk is level 3 out of 5, and it can crack your foundation, dry up your well, and raise wildfire odds. Your homeowners… Moderate Wildfires Wildfire risk in Louisiana is low overall - level 1 out of 5 - but that doesn't mean zero, especially in the piney woods of the north and… Minimal Earthquakes Louisiana is a low earthquake state — our statewide rating is 1 out of 5 — but low isn’t zero, and north Louisiana parishes can feel… Minimal Winter Storms Louisiana doesn't get many winter storms, but when freezing rain or sleet does hit—especially in north Louisiana and the Florida… Minimal Landslides Louisiana's statewide landslide risk is low, but the risk isn't zero if you live on a Mississippi River bluff, in the Florida Parishes, or… Minimal

What the ratings mean

"MinimalMinorModerateMajorExtreme

Each rating is a statewide starting point, framed for a typical 30-year stay — the length of a standard mortgage. A neighborhood can look different from the state average. Always verify your address with official FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps.

Save this profile as a PDF for your records or insurance file.

Questions about Louisiana

What is the overall home-hazard rating in Louisiana?: Louisiana scores Moderate overall on our statewide scale. That average can hide one severe local peril — open the highest-rated hazard pages and then verify your address.
Does a standard homeowners policy cover the main risks in Louisiana?: Standard homeowners insurance almost never covers flood. You need a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and it usually has a waiting period.
How should I use this Louisiana page?: Treat it as a briefing, not a determination. Check the hazard list, open the pages rated Major or Extreme, then confirm the parcel on FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps and with Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Last updated: October 10, 2026. Risk levels are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

Guides to read with this profile

InsuranceExcess Flood Insurance: Coverage Above NFIP's $250,000 LimitThe NFIP caps flood coverage at $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents. If your home would cost more to rebuild,…Oct 15, 2026Read guide →

How Elevation Certificates Lower Your Flood Insurance PremiumLearn how an elevation certificate can save you hundreds on flood insurance by accurately showing your home's flood risk. This…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Flooded While Inside: Your Survival GuideIf your home floods while you're inside, every second counts. Learn the life-saving steps from FEMA, the CDC, and Ready.gov to…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Risk levels in Louisiana

Questions about Louisiana

Guides to read with this profile

Risk alerts, once a month