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.
Get free alerts for New OrleansOn this page
Since 1852, 180 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of New Orleans. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Francine (2024)
Passed within 40 miles of New Orleans on September 12, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Katrina (2005)
Reached Cat 5 (172 mph) at its peak. Passed within 33 miles of New Orleans.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1975)
Passed just 5.3 miles from New Orleans on October 17, 1975.
When hurricanes hit New Orleans
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1852:
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 FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones New Orleans residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francine | 2024 | Cat 2 | 40 mi | Sep 12, 2024 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 32 mi | Aug 30, 2021 |
| Nicholas | 2021 | Cat 1 | 99 mi | Sep 16, 2021 |
| Zeta | 2020 | Cat 3 | 20 mi | Oct 29, 2020 |
| Marco | 2020 | Cat 1 | 87 mi | Aug 25, 2020 |
| Sally | 2020 | Cat 2 | 127 mi | Sep 16, 2020 |
| Delta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 161 mi | Oct 10, 2020 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 194 mi | Aug 27, 2020 |
| Barry | 2019 | Cat 1 | 112 mi | Jul 13, 2019 |
| Nate | 2017 | Cat 1 | 71 mi | Oct 08, 2017 |
| Harvey | 2017 | Cat 4 | 176 mi | Aug 31, 2017 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 46 mi | Aug 29, 2012 |
| Ida | 2009 | Cat 2 | 89 mi | Nov 10, 2009 |
| Gustav | 2008 | Cat 4 | 65 mi | Sep 01, 2008 |
| Humberto | 2007 | Cat 1 | 178 mi | Sep 14, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. New Orleans is in Orleans Parish — look up your evacuation zone here.
- 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.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.