Natural Disaster Risk in Leonville

Natural Hazard Profile: Leonville, Louisiana

Leonville is a small community of about 570 in St. Landry County, in the Deep South. The area experiences very hot summers, mild winters, and exceptionally high humidity, with a lengthy hurricane and tropical storm season shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Leonville.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Leonville carries an overall risk score of 7.4/10, placing it in the high category. Prolonged drought is the primary hazard risk, shaped by low annual rainfall, high evaporation rates, and increasing temperature trends that deepen and lengthen dry periods. The area also faces notable exposure to lightning and hurricane.

Leonville's risk score, slightly above the 6.1/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for St. Landry County, the highest-scoring are drought, lightning, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Leonville residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for drought and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.