Calcasieu Parish hazard data

Lake Charles, LA Disaster Risk

FEMA rates relative riverine flooding risk for Calcasieu Parish as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 3.625 per year for the area.

#5 of 10 covered Louisiana cities for riverine flooding risk β†’FEMA relative score 99.4/100 Β· county scale

FEMA summary

Lake Charles's riverine flooding risk is relatively high at county scale.

FEMA's profile for Calcasieu Parish reports FEMA annualized frequency of 3.625 per year for riverine flooding. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.

Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.

FEMA annualized frequency

3.625 per year

View hazard details ↓
FEMA area population
216,652
Data geography
County equivalent
FEMA relative score
99.4/100
FEMA source
v1.19.0

Explore hazards

Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Calcasieu Parish.

FEMA NRI profile

Riverine Flooding

Relatively High

FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.

Relative FEMA score

99.4/100

FEMA annualized frequency
3.625 per year
FEMA area loss estimate
$37M
Recorded events
87

How to read this

Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.

The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Calcasieu Parish. It is not an estimate for a home or address.

City risk summary

Riverine flooding risk in Lake Charles

For Lake Charles, FEMA rates riverine flooding risk for Calcasieu Parish as relatively high, with a relative score of 99.4/100. The next highest relative scores are lightning at 97.8/100 and hurricane at 97.4/100.

Using FEMA data for Calcasieu Parish, Lake Charles is #5 among 10 covered Louisiana entries for riverine flooding risk. Port Arthur is about 49 straight-line miles from the Lake Charles map point; its FEMA figures cover Jefferson County.

What to check for riverine flooding

  • βœ“Check the current flood map, elevation information, and drainage history for the address.
  • βœ“Review flood coverage and the route to higher ground.
  • βœ“Keep utilities, documents, and irreplaceable items above likely water levels.

Household preparation

Official guidance β†—

For homeowners and movers

  • βœ“Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions.
  • βœ“Review policy exclusions, deductibles, and temporary-living coverage with a licensed professional.
  • βœ“Keep inspections, inventories, and critical documents in a secure location you can access after an emergency.

Preparedness actions

  • βœ“Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions.
  • βœ“Maintain water, food, lighting, medications, and communications for several days.
  • βœ“Create a household communication plan and practice it before an emergency.
Build your household checklist
Brownstone apartment buildings
Urban Survival

The Apartment Fortress

Living in Lake Charles? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.

Read the Guide β†’

Where this profile applies

The map shows Lake Charles. All FEMA figures on this page cover Calcasieu Parish.

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City
Lake Charles, LA
FEMA data area
Calcasieu Parish
County FIPS
22019

Questions about disaster risk in Lake Charles

The FEMA figures cover Calcasieu Parish. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.

How much riverine flooding risk does Lake Charles, LA have?

FEMA rates relative riverine flooding risk for Calcasieu Parish as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 3.625 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.

Where does Lake Charles rank for riverine flooding risk in Louisiana?

Among 10 Louisiana cities covered by this directory, Lake Charles is #5 for relative riverine flooding risk based on FEMA's score for Calcasieu Parish. Homes within Lake Charles can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.

Which natural hazards rank highest around Lake Charles?

In FEMA's data for Calcasieu Parish, the highest relative ratings are Riverine Flooding (Relatively High), Lightning (Relatively High), and Hurricane (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.

Are the disaster-risk numbers for Lake Charles or Calcasieu Parish?

The hazard numbers cover Calcasieu Parish. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.

Is Lake Charles safe from natural disasters?

FEMA gives Calcasieu Parish an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.

What should a household in Lake Charles do first for riverine flooding preparedness?

Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.

Nearby city comparisons

Distances are measured between city coordinates.

CityDistanceRiverine Flooding ratingRelative score
Port Arthur, TX49 miVery High99.6
Beaumont, TX56 miVery High99.6
Lafayette, LA70 miVery High99.8

Relevant preparedness gear

Limited to products tagged for riverine flooding or general preparedness.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.

Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

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Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Filters up to 100,000 gallons. Essential when tap water is compromised.

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MARCHWAY Waterproof Dry Bag (20L)

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MARCHWAY Waterproof Dry Bag (20L)

Keeps critical documents and electronics dry if you have to evacuate through water.

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Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

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Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

18 tools in one. Essential for turning off gas valves or making repairs.

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Data sources

Hazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.