Enter any address in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Lafayette Parish County, with 50 such events recorded by NOAA in the last 30 years. Other flood-related events include general floods (10), tropical storms (6), and hurricanes (4), which have resulted in one death. Recent flash flood events occurred in May 2025, associated with warm fronts and stalled low-pressure systems, and in April 2025, linked to a stalled cold front that produced several days of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A (2932 claims) and Zone X (1749 claims). Properties in Zone A experienced an average water depth of 4.4 feet with an average payout of $44,175. Zone X properties had an average water depth of 3.7 feet and an average payout of $47,319. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with less defined flood risk like Zone X_SHADED and Zone UNKNOWN, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana has recorded 70 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 50 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 43 federal disaster declarations, 11 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Tropical Storm Francine | Hurricane | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Nicholas | Coastal Storm | Sep 12, 2021 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | May 17, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 24, 2025 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 13, 2024 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 24, 2025
A cold front moved into the region and stalled late in April producing a few days of rain. Flooding occurred at multiple locations and severe storms also developed as a result.
Flash Flood — May 21, 2025
A cold front stalled along the coast of South Louisiana. This created a focus for thunderstorms on the 20th.
Flash Flood — Jun 13, 2025
An inverted trough moved slowly along the coast of Louisiana increasing moisture which caused heavy rain and thunderstorms over multiple days.
Flash Flood — May 9, 2025
A warm front slowly lifted north across the region during the 6th causing rain and thunderstorms. A low pressure system and associated cold front slowly pushed back across the area on the 7th and stalled into the 9th with a couple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — May 7, 2025
A warm front slowly lifted north across the region during the 6th causing rain and thunderstorms. A low pressure system and associated cold front slowly pushed back across the area on the 7th and stalled into the 9th with a couple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.