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Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, has 903 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them damaging wind.
That is 72.0 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Louisiana figure of 75.6, and 243.9 per 10,000 residents against 70.7 statewide.
34 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 5 deaths and 75 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $33M and crop damage at $2.4M.
FEMA has designated the county in 41 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Winter Storm (emergency, 24 Jan 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 541 claims since 1978, of which 429 were paid, totalling $9.9M (about $23K per paid claim). FEMA counts 540 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Low" and its expected annual loss as "Very Low" ($13M a year across 18 hazards).
34 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 1 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Louisiana and the United States
| Measure | Natchitoches Parish | Louisiana | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 903 | 32,679 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 72.0 | 75.6 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 243.9 | 70.7 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 34 | 1,099 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 5 | 1,332 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $33M | $96B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 14.6 | 105.0 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $23K | $54K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 4.8 | 10.0 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 522 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 276 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1976 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $2.5M | — | 1 | 27 | County |
| 12 Mar 2016 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 7 Jan 1998 | Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Jul 2022 | Heat | Heat | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 11 Jul 2022 | Heat | Heat | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 20 Mar 1974 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $250K | — | — | 18 | County |
| 1 May 1950 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 12 Mar 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 100 mph | $500K | — | — | 6 | County |
| 1 Sep 2008 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $750K | — | — | 4 | Forecast zone |
| 30 Mar 2008 | Tornado | Tornado | EF0 | $750K | — | — | 3 | County |
| 17 May 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 17 May 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 23 Nov 2004 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $1.0M | — | — | 1 | County |
| 21 Jan 2017 | Tornado | Tornado | EF2 | $500K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 30 Mar 1976 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 2 Feb 1990 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $250K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 3 May 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 100 mph | $5.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Feb 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 115 mph | $3.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 19 May 1983 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $2.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Oct 2009 | Flood | Flood | — | $2.0M | — | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 2026 | EM-3638 | Emergency | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 10 Sep 2024 | EM-3614 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Francine | Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2021 | EM-3574 | Emergency | Coastal Storm | Tropical Storm Nicholas | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2021 | DR-4611 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2021 | EM-3568 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ida | Public assistance |
| 9 Mar 2021 | DR-4590 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 18 Feb 2021 | EM-3556 | Emergency | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 27 Oct 2020 | EM-3549 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Zeta | Public assistance |
| 16 Oct 2020 | DR-4570 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta | Public assistance |
| 7 Oct 2020 | EM-3547 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Delta | Public assistance |
| 14 Sep 2020 | EM-3543 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2020 | DR-4559 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 23 Aug 2020 | EM-3538 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Laura And Marco | Public assistance |
| 7 Jun 2020 | EM-3527 | Emergency | Coastal Storm | Tropical Storm Cristobal | Public assistance |
| 24 Mar 2020 | DR-4484 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3459 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 16 Oct 2017 | DR-4345 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Harvey | Public assistance |
| 28 Aug 2017 | EM-3382 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Harvey | Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2016 | DR-4263 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Jul 2015 | DR-4228 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2012 | DR-4080 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaac | Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2012 | EM-3347 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaac | Public assistance |
| 10 Dec 2009 | DR-1863 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2008 | DR-1792 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike | Public assistance |
| 2 Sep 2008 | DR-1786 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2008 | EM-3289 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav | Public assistance |
| 2 Nov 2006 | DR-1668 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 24 Sep 2005 | DR-1607 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita | Public assistance |
| 21 Sep 2005 | EM-3260 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita | Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2005 | DR-1603 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2005 | EM-3212 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina | Public assistance |
| 1 Feb 2003 | EM-3172 | Emergency | Other | Loss Of Space Shuttle Columbia | Public assistance |
| 3 Oct 2002 | DR-1437 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Lili | Public assistance |
| 11 Sep 2000 | FM-2337 | Fire management assistance | Fire | La-Western Louisiana Fire Complex-9/8/00 | Public assistance |
| 21 Jan 1999 | DR-1264 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Public assistance |
| 3 May 1991 | DR-904 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 23 Apr 1991 | DR-902 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 17 Jul 1989 | DR-835 | Major disaster | Flood | Tropical Storm Allison | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 20 May 1989 | DR-829 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 11 Jan 1983 | DR-675 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 22 Feb 1977 | EM-3031 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing | Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1 | $41,026 | $41,026 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | $6,337 | $3,168 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 2 | $6,509 | $3,254 |
| 2019 | 3 | 2 | $5,239 | $2,619 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | $55,263 | $27,632 |
| 2017 | 5 | 3 | $52,221 | $17,407 |
| 2016 | 127 | 109 | $5,558,753 | $50,998 |
| 2015 | 15 | 13 | $470,279 | $36,175 |
| 2013 | 7 | 5 | $95,617 | $19,123 |
| 2012 | 22 | 17 | $393,689 | $23,158 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2009 | 8 | 6 | $76,745 | $12,791 |
| 2008 | 4 | 3 | $54,630 | $18,210 |
| 2006 | 14 | 13 | $252,084 | $19,391 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | $946 | $946 |
| 2001 | 21 | 16 | $223,559 | $13,972 |
| 2000 | 2 | 1 | $6,370 | $6,370 |
| 1999 | 82 | 54 | $610,981 | $11,314 |
| 1998 | 6 | 4 | $20,042 | $5,010 |
| 1997 | 10 | 8 | $54,680 | $6,835 |
| 1995 | 14 | 12 | $106,374 | $8,865 |
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | $36,093 | $12,031 |
| 1991 | 60 | 55 | $624,897 | $11,362 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $6,729,720 | |
| Heat wave | $1,529,762 | |
| Tornado | $1,472,212 | |
| Strong wind | $1,274,602 | |
| Hurricane | $706,072 | |
| Hail | $512,413 | |
| Lightning | $290,904 | |
| Earthquake | $281,572 | |
| Ice storm | $248,889 | |
| Drought | $196,472 | |
| Cold wave | $157,844 | |
| Winter weather | $44,238 | |
| Wildfire | $36,569 | |
| Landslide | $2,330 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura | 2020 | 39 mi | 98 mph |
| Delta | 2020 | 57 mi | 58 mph |
| Barry | 2019 | 26 mi | 58 mph |
| Cindy | 2017 | 43 mi | 46 mph |
| Harvey | 2017 | 78 mi | 40 mph |
| Isaac | 2012 | 47 mi | 52 mph |
| Gustav | 2008 | 23 mi | 69 mph |
| Humberto | 2007 | 52 mi | 40 mph |
| Rita | 2005 | 61 mi | 52 mph |
| Lili | 2002 | 59 mi | 69 mph |
| Danny | 1985 | 65 mi | 58 mph |
| Elena | 1985 | 76 mi | 52 mph |
| Chris | 1982 | 67 mi | 46 mph |
| Carmen | 1974 | 90 mi | 52 mph |
| Betsy | 1965 | 55 mi | 58 mph |
| Audrey | 1957 | 25 mi | 92 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1955 | 86 mi | 40 mph |
| Barbara | 1954 | 99 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1947 | 37 mi | 69 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1940 | 83 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1938 | 59 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1931 | 96 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1926 | 67 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1920 | 43 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1918 | 74 mi | 69 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Natchitoches Parish, LA?
NCEI records 207 hail events in Natchitoches Parish since 1950, in 49 different years; that is about 2.7 recorded events a year. 47 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Natchitoches Parish had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 68 tornadoes in Natchitoches Parish since 1950, 17 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 1.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Natchitoches Parish?
24 Jan 2026: Severe Winter Storm, a emergency declaration for winter storm. The county appears in 41 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Natchitoches Parish, and how much was paid?
541 NFIP claims since 1978, 429 of them paid, for $9.9M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Natchitoches Parish in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Low" for overall risk, "Very Low" for expected annual loss, "Very High" for social vulnerability and "Relatively Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Natchitoches Parish compare with the rest of Louisiana?
72.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 75.6 statewide, and 14.6 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 105.0. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.