Lafayette Parish hazard data

Lafayette, LA Disaster Risk

FEMA rates relative riverine flooding risk for Lafayette Parish as very high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 1.833 per year for the area.

#2 of 10 covered Louisiana cities for riverine flooding risk β†’FEMA relative score 99.8/100 Β· county scale

FEMA summary

Lafayette's riverine flooding risk is very high at county scale.

FEMA's profile for Lafayette Parish reports FEMA annualized frequency of 1.833 per year for riverine flooding. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is very high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.

Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.

FEMA annualized frequency

1.833 per year

View hazard details ↓
FEMA area population
241,618
Data geography
County equivalent
FEMA relative score
99.8/100
FEMA source
v1.19.0

Explore hazards

Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Lafayette Parish.

FEMA NRI profile

Riverine Flooding

Very High

FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.

Relative FEMA score

99.8/100

FEMA annualized frequency
1.833 per year
FEMA area loss estimate
$99M
Recorded events
44

How to read this

Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.

The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Lafayette Parish. It is not an estimate for a home or address.

City risk summary

Riverine flooding risk in Lafayette

For Lafayette, FEMA rates riverine flooding risk for Lafayette Parish as very high, with a relative score of 99.8/100. The next highest relative scores are hurricane at 97.7/100 and ice storm at 85.9/100.

Using FEMA data for Lafayette Parish, Lafayette is #2 among 10 covered Louisiana entries for riverine flooding risk. Baton Rouge is about 56 straight-line miles from the Lafayette map point; its FEMA figures cover East Baton Rouge Parish.

What to check for riverine flooding

  • βœ“Check the current flood map, elevation information, and drainage history for the address.
  • βœ“Review flood coverage and the route to higher ground.
  • βœ“Keep utilities, documents, and irreplaceable items above likely water levels.

Household preparation

Official guidance β†—

For homeowners and movers

  • βœ“Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions.
  • βœ“Review policy exclusions, deductibles, and temporary-living coverage with a licensed professional.
  • βœ“Keep inspections, inventories, and critical documents in a secure location you can access after an emergency.

Preparedness actions

  • βœ“Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions.
  • βœ“Maintain water, food, lighting, medications, and communications for several days.
  • βœ“Create a household communication plan and practice it before an emergency.
Build your household checklist
Brownstone apartment buildings
Urban Survival

The Apartment Fortress

Living in Lafayette? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.

Read the Guide β†’

Where this profile applies

The map shows Lafayette. All FEMA figures on this page cover Lafayette Parish.

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City
Lafayette, LA
FEMA data area
Lafayette Parish
County FIPS
22055

Questions about disaster risk in Lafayette

The FEMA figures cover Lafayette Parish. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.

How much riverine flooding risk does Lafayette, LA have?

FEMA rates relative riverine flooding risk for Lafayette Parish as very high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 1.833 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.

Where does Lafayette rank for riverine flooding risk in Louisiana?

Among 10 Louisiana cities covered by this directory, Lafayette is #2 for relative riverine flooding risk based on FEMA's score for Lafayette Parish. Homes within Lafayette can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.

Which natural hazards rank highest around Lafayette?

In FEMA's data for Lafayette Parish, the highest relative ratings are Riverine Flooding (Very High), Hurricane (Relatively High), and Ice Storm (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.

Are the disaster-risk numbers for Lafayette or Lafayette Parish?

The hazard numbers cover Lafayette Parish. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.

Is Lafayette safe from natural disasters?

FEMA gives Lafayette Parish an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.

What should a household in Lafayette do first for riverine flooding preparedness?

Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.

Nearby city comparisons

Distances are measured between city coordinates.

CityDistanceRiverine Flooding ratingRelative score
Baton Rouge, LA56 miVery High99.9
Lake Charles, LA70 miRelatively High99.4
Houma, LA91 miRelatively Moderate94.1

Relevant preparedness gear

Limited to products tagged for riverine flooding or general preparedness.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.

Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Water

Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Filters up to 100,000 gallons. Essential when tap water is compromised.

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MARCHWAY Waterproof Dry Bag (20L)

GoBag

MARCHWAY Waterproof Dry Bag (20L)

Keeps critical documents and electronics dry if you have to evacuate through water.

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Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

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Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

18 tools in one. Essential for turning off gas valves or making repairs.

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Data sources

Hazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.