Critical Risk Louisiana  ·  Hurricane / Storm Surge

Orleans Parish LA

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & DISASTER RISK PROFILE  ·  LAST UPDATED: Mar 2026

10/ 10
Threat Score
Population
383,997
Area
169
sq miles
Primary Hazard
Hurricane / Storm Surge
FEMA Disasters
75
federally declared

Orleans Parish — home to New Orleans — is the most hurricane-vulnerable major urban area in the United States. Sitting mostly below sea level and surrounded by Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, the parish requires an elaborate levee and flood barrier system for basic protection. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused catastrophic levee failures that flooded 80% of the city. Hurricane Ida in 2021 struck as a Category 4, testing the post-Katrina flood protection system to its limits.

// Preparedness Recommendations

  • Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
  • Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
  • Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
  • Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.

// Recommended Supplies

Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.

// Risk Intelligence

Threat Score 10 / 10    Critical Risk
Primary Hazard Hurricane / Storm Surge
Secondary Hazard Flooding
FEMA Flood Zone Zone VE (Critical Risk)
Federally Declared Disasters 75
Last Major Event Hurricane Ida (2021)
Event Frequency Major event every 2–3 years

// Emergency Operations

Emergency Mgmt Phone (504) 658-8700
Emergency Shelters 42 designated facilities
Evacuation Routes I-10 West, I-10 East, US-90 West, US-61 North

// County Profile

County Orleans Parish LA
State Louisiana (LA)
Population 383,997
Area 169 sq miles
FEMA Region Zone VE (Critical Risk)

// Major Cities

New Orleans LA

// Cities in This County

New Orleans LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
10/10
Critical

// Other Louisiana Counties

Plaquemines Parish LA
Hurricane / Land Subsidence
9/10
Critical
Vermilion Parish LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
High
Jefferson Parish LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Cameron Parish LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
High
Lafourche Parish LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical
Terrebonne Parish LA
Hurricane / Storm Surge
9/10
Critical

// Nearby Infrastructure Risks

Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.

🌊
New Orleans Hurricane Protection Levee System LA
Major Dam  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  US Army Corps of Engineers  ·  10-mi risk zone
9/10 High →
🏟
Caesars Superdome New Orleans LA
Stadium / Arena  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  New Orleans Saints / NFL  ·  2-mi risk zone
9/10 High →
☢
Waterford Nuclear Plant LA
Nuclear Power Plant  ·  Killona  ·  Entergy Nuclear  ·  10-mi risk zone
8/10 High →
⚓
Port of New Orleans LA
Port / Marine Terminal  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  Port of New Orleans  ·  10-mi risk zone
8/10 High →
💧
New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board LA
Water Treatment  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans  ·  10-mi risk zone
8/10 High →
🏟
Smoothie King Center New Orleans LA
Stadium / Arena  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  New Orleans Pelicans / NBA  ·  2-mi risk zone
8/10 High →
🚂
New Orleans Rail Hub LA
Rail Infrastructure  ·  New Orleans, LA  ·  CSX / Norfolk Southern / Union Pacific / KCS  ·  5-mi risk zone
8/10 High →

Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.