Natural Disaster Risk in Cotton Valley
Louisiana
Risk Summary for Cotton Valley
Cotton Valley scores 6.7/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Ice Storm.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Cotton Valley, Louisiana
Cotton Valley, in Webster County, is a small community of about 1,260 situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings very hot summers, mild winters, and exceptionally high humidity, and in particular a lengthy hurricane and tropical storm season. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Cotton Valley residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Cotton Valley carries an overall risk score of 6.7/10, placing it in the high category. Ice storm risk tops the local winter hazard profile, with freezing rain events capable of coating roads, trees, and power lines with ice that causes widespread outages and dangerous travel conditions. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and hail.
Within Louisiana, Cotton Valley's risk is, slightly above the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Webster County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and hail. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Cotton Valley's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Cotton Valley: Ice Storm preparedness
- Have a backup heat source and charged devices ready before winter storms arrive.
- Prepare for multi-day power outages, as ice accretion frequently downs power lines.
- Keep walkways treated and avoid travel during freezing-rain events.
Local Factors for Cotton Valley
These city-level factors differentiate Cotton Valley from other communities in Webster County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,260
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 32.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.9/10
Coordinates
32.8218° N, 93.4297° W
Webster County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Cotton Valley
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Cotton Valley
Other cities in Louisiana
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.