Earthquakes risk in Louisiana

You’re signing closing papers on a house in Shreveport, and the seller’s disclosure has a line about earthquakes. Most sellers check “no” without thinking. That’s usually fine in Louisiana. Our statewide earthquake rating is 1 out of 5, and USGS shaking maps put nearly the whole state in the lowest hazard categories. But low isn’t never, and the insurance details still matter when you own a home in Louisiana.

Who this hits hardest

If a damaging quake ever reaches Louisiana, it will most likely come from the New Madrid seismic zone near the Missouri-Arkansas-Tennessee junction. That’s far away, but large events there can be felt in north Louisiana parishes: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union, Morehouse, Ouachita, Lincoln, Bienville, and Red River. Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, and Ruston sit in that band. The shaking would probably be light — pictures swaying, cracks in plaster, maybe a chimney joint opening — not widespread collapse.

Older homes with unreinforced brick chimneys and pier-and-beam foundations are the ones I’d check first in those north Louisiana parishes. A brick chimney that’s already leaning or has cracked mortar is a small project now and a bigger one after any shaking. Mobile homes and manufactured homes need to stay tied down, but that’s mostly a wind concern in Louisiana, not an earthquake one.

In south Louisiana, from Calcasieu and Cameron parishes across to Iberia, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines, the ground is softer and wetter. That can amplify shaking in some quakes, but the bigger threat by far is hurricanes, storm surge, and river flooding. If you live in New Orleans or Houma, your earthquake risk is not what keeps me up at night. Your flood zone is.

After the event — claims and repairs

Here’s the insurance reality: standard homeowners policies in Louisiana typically exclude earth movement, and that includes earthquakes. You usually need a separate earthquake policy or an endorsement added to your homeowners policy. Many agents don’t bring it up because almost nobody in Louisiana asks for it. If you live in Caddo, Bossier, or Ouachita Parish and you want the coverage, ask your agent directly for a quote. If they say you don’t need it, ask them to show you the exclusion in writing.

Flood is separate too. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood, and that matters more in Louisiana than earthquake. You buy flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. For hurricanes, wind damage is often covered under your homeowners policy, but you’ll usually have a separate hurricane deductible. Storm surge and rising water are flood claims, not wind claims. That wind-versus-flood split is the most argued-about line in Louisiana claims after a storm.

After an earthquake, if your home is damaged, take photos before you move anything. Save receipts for hotels, tarps, and repairs. Call your insurance agent and open a claim. If the governor requests a federal disaster declaration, FEMA may offer individual assistance, but that is not a guarantee. GOHSEP is the state agency that coordinates Louisiana’s response. For repairs, use a licensed Louisiana contractor and don’t pay in full upfront. Door-to-door storm chasers show up after every disaster, and they don’t disappear just because the disaster was an earthquake.

Before the season starts

Spring in Louisiana means severe weather and the start of hurricane season. Earthquake prep fits into the same weekend. Strap your water heater. Anchor bookcases and tall furniture to wall studs. Know where your gas shutoff is and keep a wrench nearby. Put a flashlight and shoes under every bed. Those steps help in a quake, a tornado, and a hurricane.

If you have one weekend and a few hundred dollars, I’d spend it on flood insurance and wind mitigation before earthquake retrofitting in most of Louisiana. That’s the honest trade-off. In north Louisiana, add one more task: look at your chimney. If it’s brick, unreinforced, and more than 50 years old, have a mason check the mortar and flashing. It’s cheap compared to rebuilding after a shake.

Check your policy deductible now, not after a disaster. Ask your agent: Does my homeowners policy exclude earthquake? Does it have a separate hurricane deductible? Do I have flood insurance? If you rent, renter’s insurance covers your belongings but not the building. If you’re buying, ask for a flood zone determination before you close.

Questions we get

Do I need earthquake insurance in Louisiana?

Most Louisiana homeowners don’t buy it because the risk is low. Standard homeowners policies usually exclude earth movement, so if you want earthquake coverage, you need a separate policy or endorsement. If you live in north Louisiana near the New Madrid seismic zone — Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union, Morehouse, or Ouachita parishes — it’s worth asking your agent for a price. In south Louisiana, flood insurance is the higher priority.

Is Louisiana really a low earthquake state?

Yes. Our statewide rating is 1 out of 5, and USGS shaking maps put nearly all of Louisiana in the lowest hazard categories. That does not mean zero. Distant New Madrid quakes can be felt in the northern parishes, and small offshore events happen in the Gulf from time to time. The practical risk to your house is much lower than flood, wind, or hail.

What should I do first if an earthquake cracks my Louisiana home?

Get everyone out if the house feels unsafe, then take photos of every crack and damaged item before you clean up. Call your insurance agent and start a claim. Keep receipts for emergency repairs. Contact GOHSEP if you need state guidance, and do not hire an unlicensed contractor who knocks on your door. If the damage is only cosmetic — hairline cracks in drywall — document it and watch for changes over the next few weeks.

Official sources

Use these official pages to check maps, preparedness steps, and state contacts:

• Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• Ready.gov – Earthquakes
• FEMA Earthquake Safety