Skip to content
Risk: Relatively Low

Vernon Parish, LA Environment & Hazard Risk

Relatively Low natural hazard risk, led by hurricane. 337 storm events since 1996.

Expected yearly loss
$21.56M
Relatively Low nationally
Storm events since 1996
337
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
248
1.7% of homes
Hurricanes nearby
4
12 tropical storms or stronger since 1865

Natural hazard risk

FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025

Overall risk

Relatively Low

Score 68.9 of 100

Social vulnerability

Relatively High

Score 67.7 of 100

Community resilience

Very Low

Score 6.9 of 100

Community resilience runs the other way: a higher rating means a community can recover faster.

Building value exposed: $8.21B · Agriculture value exposed: $32.89M · Risk-adjusted yearly loss: $29.09M

Risk by hazard

  • HurricaneRelatively Moderate$3.79M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10 years
  • TornadoRelatively Moderate$4.27M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
  • LightningRelatively High$623K/yr expected annual loss, about 74 events a year
  • WildfireRelatively Low$314K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 387 years
  • Ice stormRelatively Moderate$258K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
  • Heat waveRelatively Low$832K/yr expected annual loss, about 11 events a year
  • Cold waveRelatively Moderate$1.67M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.2 events a year
  • Strong windRelatively Moderate$631K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.6 events a year
  • Winter weatherRelatively Low$46.07K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.9 events a year
  • LandslideVery Low$673/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
  • HailRelatively Low$152K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.2 events a year
  • EarthquakeVery Low$122K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1,160 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, drought, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Flood risk and insurance

National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA flood maps

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance
248 of 14,893 (1.7%)
Homes in high-risk flood zones
600
Insured in high-risk zones
133 (22%)
Flood claims since 1978
338
Claims paid since 1978
$9.4M

Flood claims paid per year

Flood claims paid per year in Vernon Parish
  • Late winter severe storms$3.52M · 68 claims
  • Hurricane Harvey$786K · 26 claims
  • Hurricane Gustav$177K · 4 claims
  • Hurricane Andrew$153K · 19 claims
  • Hurricane Katrina$146K · 3 claims
  • Tropical Storm Isidore$127K · 3 claims

Storm history

Since 1996: 337 events, 2 deaths, $987M in damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind132
  • Hail85
  • Tornado37 · 1 death
  • Flash Flood28
  • Winter Weather12
  • Flood8
  • Winter Storm7
  • Drought6
  • Tropical Storm4
  • Lightning3

Events per year

Storm events per year in Vernon Parish
7
13
11
10
8
11
7
9
11
13
7
7
6
12
5
6
6
30
11
7

61 tornadoes on record (EF0 10, EF1 11, EF2 1, EF3 1, F0 8, F1 20, F2 7, F4 1).

Most damaging storms

Since 1996, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage

  • Hurricane (Typhoon)08/27/2020

    Vernon

    1 death, $900M damage

    What happened

    Numerous trees power lines and poles were blown down across the parish. Homes and businesses were damaged from fallen trees, or from the winds. All of the parish was without power immediately after the storm. A 14-year-old female died from a fallen tree. Wind gusts ranged from 100 to 120 mph.

  • Flood03/11/2016

    Burr Ferry, Vernon Parish

    $50M damage

    What happened

    Water quickly rose along the Sabine River on the 10th as flood water flowed into the basin from Toledo Bend and from the area tributaries. The river set a record crest on the 11th of 53.82 feet at Burkeville which was 5.77 feet above the previous record set in 1999. Areas along and west of Louisiana Highway 111 were flooded with the worst hit community being Evans were almost every home flooded, some were flooded to the roof tops. Around 400 structures were reported flooded with around 200 considered majorly damaged or destroyed in Vernon Parish. Highway 8 near the river was heavily scoured with the south side of the road collapsing near the stateline. The bridge across the river was still closed more than 2 months after the flood with the supports undermined.

  • Tropical Storm10/09/2020

    Vernon

    $20M damage

    What happened

    Wind gusts to around 65 mph and heavy rainfall lead to numerous downed trees and power lines across the parish. Minor flooding was caused by 4 to 8 inches of rainfall. A wind gust of 61 mph was recorded at Fort Polk while a peak gust of 66 mph was recorded at the Vernon RAWs.

  • TornadoEF3, 28.41 mi path, 550 yd wide12/16/2019

    Rosepine, Vernon Parish

    1 death, $1M damage

    What happened

    The tornado began in Beauregard Parish and moved into Vernon Parish near the intersection of John Brewer and Borel Roads as an EF3 with winds estimated at 152 MPH. A fatality occurred on Borel Road as the tornado passed around 11:18 am CST. Extensive damage occurred to well built homes as well as mobile homes. This developing long track tornado continued moving northeast crossing Churchman Road where it ripped large open areas off home roofs. Winds were estimated at 135 mph. The tornado moved across forest areas of the southeast part of the Fort Polk Army Base. The tornado crossed into the east central part of Vernon Parish where trees and several homes were damaged around the Sandhill and Coral Roads area with winds estimated at 74 to 107 mph. The tornado moved in Rapides Parish 1 mile south of Highway 121. Roughly 26 structures were damaged along the path.

  • Wildfire08/26/2023

    Vernon

    $5M damage

    What happened

    Four main wildfires occurred in Vernon Parish at the end of August with over 9,000 acres burned. One home and multiple outbuildings were burned in the Ida Fire with approximately 3,628 acres affected. The Highway 113 Fire was along the Vernon and Rapides Parish line with more than half inside of Vernon Parish. It burned just over 7,124 acres burned in total of pine forest. The Lion's Camp Road Fire did not destroy any homes, however 785 acres burned of pine forest. The Miller Fire was along the Sabine River and burned over 1.300 acres of forest.

  • TornadoF2, 10 mi path, 600 yd wide11/24/2004

    Simpson, Vernon Parish

    3 injured, $500K damage

    What happened

    A strong tornado formed in rural sections of Vernon Parish, blowing down many trees and power lines, before hitting the small community of Hutton. 10 to 15 homes were damaged or destroyed. Several people were injured, none seriously.

Latest storm reports

Newest first

  • Flash Flood05/23/2026

    Leesville, Vernon Parish

  • Tornado2.62 mi path, 1 yd wide02/15/2026

    (Poe)ft Polk Aaf Lee, Vernon Parish

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind02/15/2026

    Slagle, Vernon Parish

    $1,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind02/15/2026

    North Ft Polk, Vernon Parish

    $2,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind02/15/2026

    Coppers, Vernon Parish

    $4,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind02/15/2026

    Leesville, Vernon Parish

    $2,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind02/15/2026

    Coppers, Vernon Parish

    $5,000 damage

  • Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind05/27/2025

    New Llano, Vernon Parish

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Storms whose track crossed Vernon Parish, with the wind when it passed

Drinking water

15 community water systems serve about 65,026 people. Violations since 2021.

5 systems had health-based violations, such as a contaminant over the legal limit or a missed treatment step. 4 systems had a violation of any kind still open at last report.

Largest systems by population served. Monitoring and reporting violations mean required tests or notices were late or missing, not that the water was unsafe.

Climate

1991-2020 normals at Leesville, 3.8 mi from the county center

Summer highs peak around 94°F in Aug and winter lows bottom out near 37°F in Jan. About 59.3 inches of rain falls in a typical year.

MonthHighLowRain
Jan60°F37°F5.57 in
Feb65°F41°F4.60 in
Mar72°F48°F5.51 in
Apr78°F54°F5.35 in
May85°F62°F4.76 in
Jun91°F68°F4.77 in
Jul93°F71°F4.22 in
Aug94°F70°F4.22 in
Sep89°F65°F4.28 in
Oct80°F54°F5.08 in
Nov69°F45°F5.32 in
Dec61°F39°F5.63 in
Year66°F average59.3 in

Pollution sites

0 Superfund sites and 1 toxic release facility in Vernon Parish

Superfund sites

None in this parish.

Toxic release facilities

Total: 28,842 lbs in 2024, 75.7 lbs to air.

Superfund sitesToxic release facilitiesEPA inspections and enforcementAir toxics cancer risk15 historic places

Frequently asked questions

How risky is Vernon Parish for natural disasters?
FEMA rates Vernon Parish relatively low for overall natural hazard risk, with expected losses of $21.56M a year. The highest-rated hazards are hurricane (relatively moderate), tornado (relatively moderate), lightning (relatively high).
What storms are most common in Vernon Parish?
Since 1996, NOAA recorded 337 storm events affecting Vernon Parish, most often thunderstorm wind (132), hail (85), tornado (37).
How many tornadoes have hit Vernon Parish?
61 tornadoes have been recorded in Vernon Parish since 1950, including 2 rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
How many homes in Vernon Parish have flood insurance?
248 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Vernon Parish, covering about 1.7% of homes. The program has paid $9.4M on 338 claims here since 1978.
What is the weather like in Vernon Parish?
At Leesville, average highs reach 94°F in Aug and lows fall to 37°F in Jan, with 59.3 inches of rain a year (1991-2020 normals).

Source: FEMA (National Risk Index, NFIP), NOAA (Storm Events, HURDAT2, Climate Normals), EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch the county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.