Opelousas, LA Tornado History — 179 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Opelousas, LA had?
Opelousas has had 179 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 10 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Opelousas?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Opelousas was an EF2 on March 31, 2025.
When is tornado season in Opelousas?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Opelousas, with 26 on record. April through June account for 64 of the 179 tornadoes on record near Opelousas.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Opelousas
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 72 total, averaging 3.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Opelousas since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Report received of roof damage in Port Barre. One roof cave in and part of another roof was removed from a home. Time estimated by radar... exact location not known. Po (LCH)
Within 25 miles of Opelousas. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Opelousas
23 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Opelousas since 1950, across 12 events. 268 injuries have been reported across all events. 1957 was the deadliest year on record near Opelousas.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on November 7, 1957, which caused 4 fatalities along a 9.2-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Opelousas
What the record shows near Opelousas
The 2000s were the busiest decade near Opelousas, with 41 of the 179 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 23 so far. The Opelousas record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Opelousas, 136 reached EF0 or EF1 and 42 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Opelousas is rated EF3, of which 10 are logged. A further 1 near Opelousas is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Opelousas has averaged 3.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 72 in total. 2009 was the busiest of them with 13, and 2 of those years passed with none at all.