ZIP code 71270, covering Ruston, LA, has 187 natural disaster events in the historical record. These include 126 hailstorms, 39 tornadoes, and 16 severe wind events. Total documented property damage amounts to $58.2M. These events have resulted in 8 recorded deaths and 23 injuries.
Hailstorms represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 67% of all recorded events (126 total). Hail-related events have caused a combined $251K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on May 2, 2025.
There have been 39 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 21% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $56M in documented property damage. 4 fatalities have been attributed to tornadoes in this area. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 26, 2024.
There have been 16 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 9% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $915K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Mar 30, 2022.
Ruston 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 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $820K in documented property damage. 1 fatality has been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Mar 8, 2016.
Ruston 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.
Ruston has experienced 1 extreme cold event on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for cold-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Cold-related events have caused a combined $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded extreme cold event occurred on Jan 7, 2010.
The most significant disaster event on record for Ruston was EF3 Tornado on Apr 25, 2019, which caused $50M in property damage and was linked to 2 fatalities. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Nov 30, 1996), causing $2M in damages. EF1 Tornado on Apr 14, 2018 also caused significant damage ($1.4M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 71270 has experienced 187 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (126 events), tornadoes (39 events), severe wind events (16 events), floods (3 events), blizzard (1 event), extreme cold event (1 event), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 67% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Ruston, LA, with 126 events documented. These events have caused a combined $251K in property damage.
Yes, Ruston (ZIP 71270) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $820K in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Mar 8, 2016.
Ruston has 39 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $56M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 26, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 71270 was EF3 Tornado, which occurred on Apr 25, 2019. This event caused $50M in documented property damage. It resulted in 2 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 4/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $58.2M in property damage in the Ruston, LA area (ZIP 71270). 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 →