Lafayette Parish, Louisiana tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Lafayette Parish...

43confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: April 14, 2018, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Lafayette Parish

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total431950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMay8 of 43
StrongestF3Oct 29, 1974
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries41whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Lafayette Parish.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 6Feb: 2Mar: 2Apr: 5May: 8Jun: 2Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 3Oct: 6Nov: 3Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 8 of 43 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 2: 2: 46 AM: 2: 0: 39 AM: 0: 5: 212 PM: 4: 0: 03 PM: 4: 3: 16 PM: 0: 3: 29 PM: 0: 2: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 10:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 21970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 4: 0: 2: 1: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 21990: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 02000: 0: 0: 3: 0: 2: 0: 1: 1: 3: 02010: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
20
EF2
9
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F1, November 7, 1957

2 deaths, 13 injuries Strongest

F3, October 29, 1974

7.3 mile path Longest path

23.1 miles, F1

June 6, 1977, whole path Widest

650 yards, EF2

April 14, 2018
Every tornado

All 43 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 14, 2018EF24.13 mi650 yd00
Aug 29, 2017EF00.6 mi25 yd00
Apr 2, 2017EF10.06 mi10 yd00
Jan 25, 2012EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Sep 3, 2011EF00.1 mi10 yd00
May 15, 2008EF10.85 mi100 yd00
May 15, 2008EF00.69 mi25 yd00
May 15, 2008EF27.6 mi200 yd00
Feb 13, 2007EF12.16 mi50 yd00
Apr 29, 2006F00.2 mi10 yd00
Dec 9, 2004F17 mi50 yd01
Jan 25, 2004F21 mi10 yd03
Oct 3, 2002F01 mi10 yd00
Oct 3, 2002F01 mi10 yd00
Oct 3, 2002F01 mi20 yd00
Sep 12, 1998F01 mi30 yd00
Sep 11, 1998F01 mi30 yd00
Nov 21, 1997F13 mi200 yd01
Jan 6, 1995F15 mi30 yd08
Jun 13, 1992F26 mi60 yd00
Jan 12, 1992F12 mi23 yd00
May 15, 1991F00.2 mi20 yd00
May 18, 1989F10.4 mi30 yd00
May 18, 1989F10.4 mi30 yd00
Oct 2, 1988F00.2 mi23 yd00
Cities

Cities in Lafayette Parish

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Lafayette Parish

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.