ZIP code 71018, covering Cotton Valley, LA, has 85 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 54 hailstorms, 23 tornadoes, and 3 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $5.7M. These events have resulted in 3 recorded deaths and 4 injuries.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 64% of all recorded events (54 total). The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Mar 15, 2025.
There have been 23 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 27% of all disaster events. Of these, 4 (17%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 11, 2023.
Cotton Valley has experienced 3 floods on record. Of these, 3 (100%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Flood-related events have caused a combined $160K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Nov 1, 2009.
Cotton Valley has experienced 2 extreme cold events on record. Cold-related events have caused a combined $100K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to extreme cold events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 7, 2010.
Cotton Valley has experienced 2 severe wind events on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wind-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Wind-related events have caused a combined $100K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to severe wind events in this area. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 19, 2019.
Cotton Valley has experienced 1 blizzard on record. 1 fatality has been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Jan 9, 2011.
The most significant disaster event on record for Cotton Valley was EF2 Tornado on May 7, 1978, which caused $2.5M in property damage. Another major event was EF1 Tornado (May 28, 2021), causing $1M in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 71018 has experienced 85 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (54 events), tornadoes (23 events), floods (3 events), extreme cold events (2 events), severe wind events (2 events), and blizzard (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 64% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Cotton Valley, LA, with 54 events documented.
Yes, Cotton Valley (ZIP 71018) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $160K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Nov 1, 2009.
Cotton Valley has 23 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $5.4M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 11, 2023.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 71018 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on May 7, 1978. This event caused $2.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $5.7M in property damage in the Cotton Valley, LA area (ZIP 71018). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced 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 →