Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Opelousas faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opelousas gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #53 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 70 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Opelousas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Opelousas faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Opelousas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Opelousas, and Opelousas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #53 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Opelousas’ residents live in 12 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Opelousas has less expected damage per building than 68% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Opelousas: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Opelousas flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Opelousas, from FEMA’s records: 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-summer severe storms18 claims · $822K
- Hurricane Gustav4 claims · $44K
- Hurricane Rita3 claims · $19K
Opelousas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Landry Parish.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Opelousas
Disasters that paid out in Opelousas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Opelousas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Tropical Storm Arthur729 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2021Hurricane Ida6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$59K to the City of Opelousas for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Delta1,616 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$254K to the City of Opelousas for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1,358 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$178K to the City of Opelousas for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$43K to the City of Opelousas for repairs
Show all 14
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,816 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$51K to the City of Opelousas for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$37K to the City of Opelousas for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav6,347 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$561K to the City of Opelousas for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $44K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding507 households applied for aid$462K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita6,156 households applied for aid$5.8M aid approved$156K to the City of Opelousas for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $19K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$191K to the City of Opelousas for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1,007 households applied for aid$530K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$157K to the City of Opelousas for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
St. Landry Parish has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Opelousas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Opelousas archive →Get ready for what Opelousas faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Opelousas
Is Opelousas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Opelousas has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #53 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Opelousas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Opelousas since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 9.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (18).
Is Opelousas in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In St. Landry Parish, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Opelousas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Opelousas’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Opelousas?
By FEMA money that reached Opelousas, Hurricane Rita (2005): 6,156 households applied for aid, $5.8M approved, and $156K to the City of Opelousas for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 18 paid, $822K.
Is Opelousas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Opelousas’ rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Opelousas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Opelousas’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.