Hail history for Rapides Parish, LA

Rapides Parish has 171 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 101 of them 1″ or larger and 11 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on June 20, 2023.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 171 since 1955

1″ or larger 101 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 11 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · June 20, 2023

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Rapides Parish

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Rapides Parish's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 171 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
February 11, 2024	1.25″	Half dollar
June 20, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 20, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
June 20, 2023	3.5″	Softball
April 15, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
March 26, 2023	2.75″	Baseball
October 12, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
June 10, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Rapides Parish.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

February 11, 2024 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Hail reported through social media.

June 20, 2023 · 3.5″ (softball)

Multiple reports in the Poland-Echo area of golf ball to softball sized hail were received through a local meteorologist's social media page. Large hail damaged numerous homes and vehicles in the area.

March 26, 2023 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail was reported in Cheneyville.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
3	10	9	15	40	44	37	13

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Rapides Parish

Has it ever hailed in Rapides Parish?

Yes — 171 hail events have been recorded for Rapides Parish, LA in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1955, including 101 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rapides Parish?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rapides Parish, LA is February 11, 2024, with 1.25″ (half dollar) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Rapides Parish?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on June 20, 2023. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Louisiana hail history

All 64 Louisiana counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.