Enter any address in Orleans Parish, Louisiana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Orleans Parish County, with 194 occurrences recorded by NOAA over the last 30 years. Recent examples include events in April 2025, where slow-moving storms overwhelmed the urban landscape, and May 2025, where enhanced downdrafts from developing storm systems contributed to significant rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A properties have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $66,428 and an average water depth of 6.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X also have substantial claim histories. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas with lower elevations or without a confirmed Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
160 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Orleans Parish, Louisiana has recorded 219 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 194 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 39 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1998–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Tropical Storm Francine | Hurricane | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Hurricane Francine | Hurricane | Sep 9, 2024 |
| Seawater Intrusion | Other | Sep 20, 2023 |
| Tropical Storm Nicholas | Coastal Storm | Sep 12, 2021 |
| Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Ida | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Ice Storm | Feb 11, 2021 |
| Hurricane Zeta | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 21, 2025 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2025
A strong springtime cold front moved through the region in the morning hours of March 31st. A mesoscale convective system developed along the front due to incredibly steep lapse rates. The resultant impact included widespread wind damage, a weak tornado and a few areas of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 28, 2025
A mid level disturbance embedded within southwest flow aloft created an environment of increased buoyancy. Ample instability was already in place across the region due to typical early summer heat and increased low level moisture. A mix of severe and heavy rain impacts occurred as storms developed across the region.
Flash Flood — Apr 21, 2025
On the afternoon of April 21st, a cold front approaching the region began to stall over central Louisiana as upper-level support and steering flow shifted northeastward. With the front losing its dynamical push, storms developed ahead of it across the New Orleans area and became slow-moving due to the lack of steering flow. These storms produced efficient, long-duration rainfall over the city, ...
Flash Flood — Feb 19, 2025
A frontal boundary was stalled along the northern Gulf on February 18th. As cold front moving south through Texas and northern Louisiana, a surface low began developing where the 2 boundaries met in the northwestern Gulf. The low steadily deepened while tracking east along the Louisiana coastline which enhanced height falls over southeast LA. The increased buoyancy from the height falls perfect...
Flash Flood — Mar 15, 2025
A potent weather system impacted the local area, producing a rare EF-4 tornado. Only a few tornadoes that strong have developed in the local forecast area. That tornado started its path in northern Tangipahoa Parish and continued on its 60+ mile long path. The environment needed for violent and long lived tornadoes, were in place right as a cold front approached from the west.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Orleans Parish, Louisiana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Orleans Parish, Louisiana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.