Lafayette, LA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lafayette is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lafayette Parish, LA. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, hurricane, and cold wave.
Storm events near Lafayette
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lafayette's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lafayette itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Lafayette Parish's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Lafayette along with the rest of the county, not a Lafayette-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 53 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 45 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 68.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 93.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 65.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 86.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 68.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 98.4 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 90.3 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 23.2 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 98.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 66.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 42.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lafayette Parish risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Lafayette Parish:
More on Lafayette Parish:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lafayette, LA at risk of?
Lafayette is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lafayette Parish, where Lafayette is located, are lightning, hurricane, and cold wave.
What is Lafayette's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Lafayette Parish, where Lafayette is located, scoring 98.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Lafayette a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Lafayette carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Lafayette Parish.
Has Lafayette had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 27 tornado, 67 hail, 85 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lafayette since 2016.