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Hurricane Risk for New Orleans, LA

No tropical storms currently threaten the New Orleans area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1852, 180 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of New Orleans. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Much of New Orleans sits at or below sea level behind levees, making storm surge and catastrophic flooding the dominant threats — Hurricane Ida (2021) and Katrina (2005) underscored how levee breaches and prolonged rainfall can devastate the city.

By the numbers

Total storms
180
since 1852
Major (Cat 3+)
35
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
86
all categories
County
Orleans Parish
Louisiana

Most recent hurricane

Francine (2024)

Passed within 40 miles of New Orleans on September 12, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).

The full risk breakdown for New Orleans

See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit New Orleans, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.

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Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. New Orleans is in Orleans Parish — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.