Lafayette has gotten lucky, often avoiding severe and lasting damage from major hurricanes. Tropical Storm Francine, expected to make landfall as a hurricane, is likely to send heavy rain and strong winds to the Lafayette area.
It doesn’t take a direct hit for a hurricane to cause serious damage. Projected to land as a Category 1 or 2 storm, Francine could deliver winds of 85-90 miles per hour and dump 4 to 8 inches of rain in the Lafayette area.
Here’s how Francine, as projected, would compare to some of the major hurricanes that have impacted the Lafayette area in recent decades, according to data from the National Weather Service. Keep in mind that localized impacts can vary tremendously within storm events.
Hurricane Delta (October 2020)
Delta followed closely behind Hurricane Laura, landing just east of that storm and while many remained in shelters. In Lafayette, the storm caused some flooding, wind damage, and extended power outages.
- Category at landfall: 2
- Landfall: Creole, Louisiana
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 100 miles per hour
- Lafayette Rainfall: 5-10 inches
Hurricane Laura (August 2020)
Laura made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, wreaking havoc with strong winds, flooding, and significant infrastructure damage in Southwest Louisiana, hitting Lake Charles and Cameron Parish especially hard. Lafayette experienced widespread power outages but suffered relatively little direct damage.
- Category at landfall: 4
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 150 miles per hour
- Lafayette Rainfall: 5-11 inches
Hurricane Barry (July 2019)
Barry, a slow-moving storm, caused flash flooding and localized power outages in Lafayette Parish. An unusually early hurricane, Barry brought heavy rain but minimal wind damage.
- Category at landfall: 1
- Landfall: Marsh Island, Louisiana
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 75 mph
- Rainfall in Lafayette: 3-7 inches
Hurricane Gustav (September 2008)
Gustav caused widespread flooding and power outages in Lafayette. Downed trees blocked roads and exacerbated recovery efforts.
- Category at landfall: 2
- Landfall: Cocodrie, Louisiana
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 90 miles per hour
- Rainfall in Lafayette: 6-8 inches
Hurricane Rita (September 2005)
Rita caused major flooding, storm surge, and wind damage in Lafayette Parish. Many homes were flooded, and the parish experienced long-term power outages.
- Category at landfall: 3
- Landfall: Cameron Parish
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 115 miles per hour
- Rainfall in Lafayette: 5-7 inches
Hurricane Lili (October 2002)
Lili weakened significantly before reaching Lafayette but still caused power outages and flooding. Wind damage was moderate, but recovery took time.
- Category at landfall: 4 (downgraded to 1 near Lafayette)
- Landfall: Intracoastal City
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 90 miles per hour
- Rainfall in Lafayette: 6-10 inches
Hurricane Andrew (August 1992)
Andrew, though weakened by the time it hit Lafayette, still caused significant wind damage, downed power lines, and flooding.
- Category at landfall: 5
- Landfall: Morgan City
- Sustained Winds at Landfall: 95 miles per hour
- Rainfall in Lafayette: 4-8 inches