Lafayette, LA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Lafayette is located in the low-lying Cajun Prairie and faces flooding from the Vermilion River and Bayou Carencro. Heavy rainfall events can overwhelm drainage systems in this flat terrain.
Lafayette Parish has recorded 6,578 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $266.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
19,988
Lafayette Parish
Avg. Premium
$801/yr
Lafayette Parish
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Lafayette Parish
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $57.4M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $51K
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $97.8M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish has been included in 35 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 27 earlier declarations since 2008.
These declarations affected communities across Lafayette Parish, including Lafayette.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Lafayette Parish
Properties in Lafayette Parish have filed 6,578 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $266.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $40K.
Highest-Claim Years
2016
2,592 claims - $194.3M
1993
464 claims - $5.2M
1980
413 claims - $2.8M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Lafayette Parish
Only roughly 1 in 5 households in Lafayette Parish carries NFIP flood insurance (21% of estimated households).
Penetration Rate
21%
roughly 1 in 5 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
6,578 claims over 45+ years across 19,988 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$40,454
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Lafayette Parish has averaged 1 claim for every 3 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Lafayette.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Lafayette
Lafayette faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Lafayette are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $57.4M. Lafayette has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Riverine flood risk in Lafayette is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Lafayette address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Parish has 568 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 77 severe repetitive loss properties. 36 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
568
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
77
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
36
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 557 of 568 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Lafayette Parish
NOAA has recorded 58 flood events in Lafayette Parish since 1996, causing $1.3B in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Lafayette Parish
FEMA has funded mitigation for 182 properties in Lafayette Parish, investing $4.0M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Lafayette
Lafayette participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Lafayette's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Lafayette, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Lafayette, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Lafayette are Zone AE, Zone AO, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Lafayette?
If your Lafayette property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Lafayette?
Enter your Lafayette address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Lafayette offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Lafayette participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Lafayette experienced major flooding events?
Lafayette Parish, where Lafayette is located, has been part of 35 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Tropical Storm Francine in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Lafayette?
Lafayette Parish has recorded 6,578 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $266.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2016, with 2,592 claims and $194.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Lafayette.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Lafayette?
Lafayette Parish currently has 19,988 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $801. The most policies are in Zone X (10,117 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Lafayette properties have flooded repeatedly?
Lafayette Parish has 568 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 77 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Lafayette property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Lafayette?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Lafayette's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Look Up Any Lafayette, LA Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.