Baton Rouge, LA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Baton Rouge is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for East Baton Rouge Parish, LA. The county's highest-rated hazards are tornado, cold wave, and lightning.
Storm events near Baton Rouge
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Baton Rouge's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Baton Rouge itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are East Baton Rouge Parish's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Baton Rouge along with the rest of the county, not a Baton Rouge-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 32.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 54.6 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 84.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 98.1 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.6 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 64.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 94.9 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 98.2 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 92 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 59.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 98.3 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 79.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 67.6 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full East Baton Rouge Parish risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in East Baton Rouge Parish:
More on East Baton Rouge Parish:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Baton Rouge, LA at risk of?
Baton Rouge is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for East Baton Rouge Parish, where Baton Rouge is located, are tornado, cold wave, and lightning.
What is Baton Rouge's biggest natural hazard risk?
Tornado is the highest-rated hazard for East Baton Rouge Parish, where Baton Rouge is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Baton Rouge a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Baton Rouge carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for East Baton Rouge Parish.
Has Baton Rouge had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 26 tornado, 87 hail, 140 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Baton Rouge since 2016.