Carencro takes its name from a Cajun French word for buzzard, and its roots go back to Acadian refugees who received land along Bayou Carencro in the 1700s. Its current center sits at about 39 feet of elevation, well west of the Vermilion River, while lower country to the east toward the Atchafalaya Basin has such a high water table that burials there use mausoleums.
Rather than fixing houses, Fire & Water Energy hands callers off to people who do. Reach us at (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving Carencro and nearby Lafayette Parish communities; we can't promise availability. Learn about how it works and read the referral disclosure.
From an 1893 tornado to Laura and Delta: Carencro's weather record
Severe weather is woven into local history. Wikipedia notes that a church built here in 1893 was destroyed by a tornado before it was ever used, and another burned in 1904. In modern times, FEMA declarations for Lafayette Parish include Hurricane Rita (2005), Gustav (2008), Isaac (2012), the August 2016 floods (DR-4277), Tropical Storm Harvey (2017), Barry (2019), Laura and Delta (2020), Zeta and Ida (2021) and a May 2021 storm, tornado and flood event.
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles places Lafayette and St. Landry parishes inside Laura's 5 to 11 inch rain band in August 2020. Delta followed in October with a 75 mph gust at the Lafayette airport, stripping temporary tarps from roofs still awaiting repair.
Frozen lines, roof leaks and water damage restoration
Cold snaps are rare but real. On February 16, 2021, Lafayette Regional Airport hit a record low of 16 degrees, and FEMA's Severe Winter Storms declaration covered the parish. Pipes in exterior walls, attics and under raised homes can split in that kind of cold and leak once they thaw.
The more everyday causes are storm-driven roof leaks, water heater failures and plumbing connections that give way. Carencro had about 2,400 housing units in 2000 and has kept growing, so both older and newer homes are in the mix. A typical water damage restoration contractor in Carencro will shut off the source, remove water, measure moisture and dry the structure; see burst pipe water damage and water extraction.
Federal disaster declarations that included Lafayette Parish
FEMA records show Lafayette Parish was included in 17 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (12 hurricane, 2 flood, 1 severe ice storm, 1 severe storm, 1 coastal storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Carencro was affected. The most recent:
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4611)
- 2021 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4606)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4590)
- 2021 – Hurricane Zeta (DR-4577)
- 2020 – Hurricane Delta (DR-4570)
- 2020 – Hurricane Laura (DR-4559)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Carencro?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Carencro property.
Cleaning up after a kitchen, electrical or garage fire
Fires leave behind three problems at once: charred materials, soot that spreads well beyond the burned area, and the water used to put the fire out. Odor tends to linger in insulation and upholstery if it isn't addressed.
A reputable company will usually board up, clear debris, clean surfaces and contents, and use deodorizing equipment. Our pages on fire damage restoration and smoke odor removal go into more depth.
Heavy rain, bayou overflow and storm debris
When slow-moving storms stall over Acadiana, water can back up in ditches and low spots, and the NWS notes that debris-clogged drainage made flooding worse during Delta. Floodwater from outside is treated as contaminated, so contractors commonly remove wet drywall, insulation and flooring, sanitize and then dry.
See our flood cleanup and storm water damage restoration pages.
Mold prevention in a humid bayou town
Warm, humid air slows drying, and mold can appear on damp drywall, carpet backing or wood in a few days. Running the AC and dehumidifiers after a leak helps, but hidden moisture inside walls usually needs professional drying.
Under EPA guidance, mold under about 10 square feet is often manageable for a homeowner with gloves and an N95 mask; larger growth should be handled by a professional using containment. More on mold remediation.
Protecting your family and your claim
- Call 911 for fire, injury, gas odors or electrical hazards.
- Check National Weather Service Lake Charles forecasts and Lafayette Parish emergency information before and after storms.
- Avoid wet areas until power is confirmed off.
- Get photos of each damaged room before anything is hauled to the curb, and file away receipts. Coverage depends on your policy, so speak with your insurer or agent; flood losses generally require separate flood coverage.
- Protect yourself with gloves, boots and a mask when handling soot, mold or floodwater.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Carencro):
Carencro restoration FAQs
How cold did it get in the February 2021 freeze?
The National Weather Service recorded a record low of 16 degrees at Lafayette Regional Airport on February 16, 2021. If pipes froze then, check for slow leaks or old water stains you may have missed.
Is Carencro close to the Vermilion River?
Wikipedia notes the current town center lies well west of the river, which runs between Lafayette and Opelousas. Heavy rain and drainage, rather than the river itself, are the more common concerns for most homes in town.
My roof was patched after Hurricane Laura and leaked again later. Is that common?
It happened often in 2020, when Hurricane Delta tore off tarps only weeks after Laura. Any repeated leak should be checked for wet insulation and mold inside the ceiling, not just repaired on the outside.
How do I get a referral?
Phone (866) 937-3230 and tell us what got wet or burned and roughly where in Carencro you are. We'll try to connect you with an independent contractor who works in Lafayette Parish, and that company will discuss the job directly with you.
Restoration guides
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Extraction
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Fire Damage Restoration