St. Charles Parish west of New Orleans is home to Waterford Nuclear Plant and sits in one of the most hurricane-vulnerable locations in Louisiana. The parish is almost entirely below sea level protected by levees on the Mississippi River. Hurricane Ida in 2021 made landfall nearby causing catastrophic damage across the parish. The parish also hosts major petrochemical facilities along the Mississippi River creating compound industrial and nuclear emergency planning requirements.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
* We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 8 / 10 High Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Storm Surge |
| Secondary Hazard | Nuclear Proximity |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 10 |
| Last Major Event | Ida 2021 |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (985) 783-5000 |
| Emergency Shelters | 4 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-310 US-90 LA-18 LA-631 |
// County Profile
| County | St. Charles Parish LA |
| State | Louisiana (LA) |
| Population | 54 |
| Area | 289 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Other Louisiana Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.