TropicalInfo EN ES Sign Up Free

Hurricane Risk for Baton Rouge, LA

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

Get free alerts for Baton Rouge
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 1855, 161 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Baton Rouge. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Located upriver from the Gulf but on low, coastal plain terrain, Baton Rouge is more threatened by extreme rainfall and inland flooding from powerful landfalling hurricanes than by direct storm surge — Hurricane Ida (2021) demonstrated how intense rain and prolonged flooding can devastate the city well inland from the coast.

By the numbers

Total storms
161
since 1855
Major (Cat 3+)
36
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
77
all categories
County
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana

Most recent hurricane

Francine (2024)

Passed within 53 miles of Baton Rouge on September 12, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Andrew (1992)

Reached Cat 5 (172 mph) at its peak. Passed within 39 miles of Baton Rouge.

Closest approach ever

Unnamed (1926)

Passed just 7.6 miles from Baton Rouge on August 26, 1926.

When hurricanes hit Baton Rouge

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1855:

Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
1
Jun
11
Jul
18
Aug
39
Sep
67
Oct
25
Nov
0
Dec
0

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

Prep your supplies before the storm is named

Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.

Sign Up Free

Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Baton Rouge residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Francine 2024 Cat 2 53 mi Sep 12, 2024
Ida 2021 Cat 4 25 mi Aug 30, 2021
Nicholas 2021 Cat 1 53 mi Sep 16, 2021
Zeta 2020 Cat 3 79 mi Oct 29, 2020
Delta 2020 Cat 4 89 mi Oct 10, 2020
Marco 2020 Cat 1 115 mi Aug 25, 2020
Laura 2020 Cat 4 134 mi Aug 27, 2020
Sally 2020 Cat 2 200 mi Sep 16, 2020
Barry 2019 Cat 1 82 mi Jul 13, 2019
Harvey 2017 Cat 4 102 mi Aug 31, 2017
Nate 2017 Cat 1 130 mi Oct 08, 2017
Isaac 2012 Cat 1 21 mi Aug 30, 2012
Ida 2009 Cat 2 161 mi Nov 10, 2009
Gustav 2008 Cat 4 47 mi Sep 01, 2008
Humberto 2007 Cat 1 109 mi Sep 14, 2007

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Baton Rouge is in East Baton Rouge 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.