Natural Disasters in Louisiana: History & Risk Data
38,945 recorded disaster events across 511 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in Louisiana
📊 Louisiana Disaster Profile
Louisiana has experienced 38,945 documented natural disaster events across its 511 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $246.2B. A total of 3,007 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead Louisiana's disaster profile with 19,766 events (51%), causing $1.6B in property damage. Other significant hazards include tornadoes (8,938 events, $13.8B in damages), floods (4,681 events, $66.2B in damages), and severe wind events (2,326 events, $1.9B in damages).
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in Louisiana include ZIP 71107 (506 events, $469.9M in damages), ZIP 71111 (381 events, $301.2M in damages), and ZIP 71106 (363 events, $537.1M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in Louisiana has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 292% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 2011 stands out as particularly active, with 1,656 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Louisiana
What natural disasters occur in Louisiana?
Louisiana has experienced 38,945 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (19,766), tornadoes (8,938), floods (4,681), severe wind events (2,326), blizzards (899), hurricanes (878), extreme heat events (671), wildfires (371), extreme cold events (369), and earthquakes (46). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 51% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in Louisiana?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in Louisiana are ZIP 71107 (506 events), ZIP 71111 (381 events), ZIP 71106 (363 events), ZIP 71112 (331 events), and ZIP 71282 (329 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in Louisiana?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $246.2B in property damage across Louisiana. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →