Lafayette, LA natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Lafayette comes from hurricanes, and overall the risk is very high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 1,913 claims here since 1978. 10 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Lafayette?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Lafayette to be higher than in 89% of U.S. communities, mostly from hurricanes and inland flooding.
What Lafayette faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Inland flooding
Cold waves
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Lafayette flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lafayette, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- Mid-summer severe storms: 665 claims, $72.1M
- 2021 Mid-Spring Severe Storms: 109 claims, $5.3M
- Hurricane Laura: 16 claims, $754K
Homes that flooded again and again
Each house = 5 homes. ■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (45) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
10 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Lafayette itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the City of Lafayette.
Hurricane Ida
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Hurricane Delta
Hurricane Laura
Severe Storms and Flooding
Hurricane Isaac
Hurricane Gustav
Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Katrina
Severe Storms and Flooding
Lafayette and the towns around it
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Lafayette total about $99.3M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.