Ruston, LA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Ruston is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lincoln Parish, LA. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, strong wind, and heat wave.
Storm events near Ruston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Ruston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Ruston 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 Lincoln Parish's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Ruston along with the rest of the county, not a Ruston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 29.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 54.3 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 68.2 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 89.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 86.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 14.8 | Very Low |
| Drought | 45 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 57.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 97.6 | Very High |
| Landslide | 57.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 59.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 94.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 25.1 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lincoln Parish risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lincoln Parish:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Ruston, LA at risk of?
Ruston is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lincoln Parish, where Ruston is located, are ice storm, strong wind, and heat wave.
What is Ruston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Lincoln Parish, where Ruston is located, scoring 97.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Ruston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Ruston carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Lincoln Parish.
Has Ruston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 31 tornado, 73 hail, 44 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Ruston since 2016.