Hurricane Risk for Lafayette, LA
No tropical storms currently threaten the Lafayette area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
Get free alerts for LafayetteOn this page
Since 1856, 154 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Lafayette. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Francine (2024)
Passed within 77 miles of Lafayette on September 11, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Rita (2005)
Reached Cat 5 (178 mph) at its peak. Passed within 108 miles of Lafayette.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1966)
Passed just 6.0 miles from Lafayette on July 27, 1966.
When hurricanes hit Lafayette
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1856:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Lafayette residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francine | 2024 | Cat 2 | 77 mi | Sep 11, 2024 |
| Nicholas | 2021 | Cat 1 | 24 mi | Sep 15, 2021 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 76 mi | Aug 30, 2021 |
| Delta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 54 mi | Oct 10, 2020 |
| Marco | 2020 | Cat 1 | 80 mi | Aug 25, 2020 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 83 mi | Aug 27, 2020 |
| Zeta | 2020 | Cat 3 | 111 mi | Oct 28, 2020 |
| Barry | 2019 | Cat 1 | 33 mi | Jul 13, 2019 |
| Harvey | 2017 | Cat 4 | 70 mi | Aug 30, 2017 |
| Nate | 2017 | Cat 1 | 180 mi | Oct 08, 2017 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 39 mi | Aug 30, 2012 |
| Gustav | 2008 | Cat 4 | 36 mi | Sep 02, 2008 |
| Ike | 2008 | Cat 4 | 174 mi | Sep 13, 2008 |
| Humberto | 2007 | Cat 1 | 75 mi | Sep 13, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Lafayette is in Lafayette Parish — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.