Lafayette, Louisiana is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain region of the United States and is located at coordinates 30°12′50″N 92°01′46″W. It has an elevation of 36 feet. One of the physical characteristics of the geography include many streams that drain the parish. The primary river that runs through the city is the Vermilion River. This river was formed by the confluence of a few small bayous, stretches about 70 miles long, and drains into the Gulf of Mexico. Most of Lafayette's landscape is urban; however its humid and subtropic climate during the summer allow it to house many species of birds, alligators, and fish. The winter season is mild. While Lafayette is situated in a geographic location that is overall relatively safe, the city is susceptible to flooding; hurricanes are also a common natural disaster.