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Flash Flood — Orleans, LA

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, and the urban landscape of New Orleans quickly became overwhelmed. The result was widespread flash floo

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1258059). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Orleans, LA

This event is one of many recorded floods in Orleans County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

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