Enter any address in Rapides Parish, Louisiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Rapides Parish County, with 43 recorded instances in the last 30 years. For example, heavy rainfall associated with a stalled cold front led to flash flooding in Alexandria on April 5th, and a slow-moving upper-level disturbance caused similar conditions on August 14th. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also contributed to flood events, resulting in fatalities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims filed in Zone A, with 2,289 claims averaging $16,846 and a water depth of 3.4 feet. Zone X_UNSHADED also shows a notable number of claims, with 465 averaging $16,038 and a water depth of 2.9 feet. Properties in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED with an average water depth of 4.7 feet, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
21 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Rapides Parish, Louisiana has recorded 59 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 43 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 49 federal disaster declarations, 13 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 |
| Highway 113 Fire | Fire | Aug 30, 2023 |
| Tropical Storm Nicholas | Coastal Storm | Sep 12, 2021 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
| Hurricane Delta | Hurricane | Oct 6, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 9, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2025
An upper level disturbance slowly moved across Louisiana allowing for scattered showers and storms to develop during the afternoons of mid-August. The slow motion and high rain rate produced flooding in Alexandria.
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.
Flash Flood — May 6, 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 — Apr 5, 2025
A cold front drifted into the region and stalled across central Louisiana. Thunderstorms developed along the boundary during the afternoon and evening of the 5th with one becoming severe.
Flash Flood — Dec 26, 2024
A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved across deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
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 Rapides 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 Rapides 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.