Opelousas, LA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Opelousas is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for St. Landry Parish, LA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, lightning, and tornado.
Storm events near Opelousas
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Opelousas's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Opelousas 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 St. Landry Parish's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Opelousas along with the rest of the county, not a Opelousas-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 65.3 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 87.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 41.8 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 58.9 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 88 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 94.1 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 93 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 97 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 56.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 84.8 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 33.8 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 96.4 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 60.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 50.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full St. Landry Parish risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on St. Landry Parish:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Opelousas, LA at risk of?
Opelousas is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for St. Landry Parish, where Opelousas is located, are drought, lightning, and tornado.
What is Opelousas's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for St. Landry Parish, where Opelousas is located, scoring 97 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Opelousas a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Opelousas carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for St. Landry Parish.
Has Opelousas had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 35 tornado, 43 hail, 66 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Opelousas since 2016.