New Orleans, LA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
New Orleans is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Orleans Parish, LA. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, lightning, and cold wave.
Storm events near New Orleans
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of New Orleans's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to New Orleans itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Orleans Parish's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering New Orleans along with the rest of the county, not a New Orleans-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 48.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 93.5 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 81.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 80.4 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 97.2 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 71.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 97.7 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 56.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 92.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 99.7 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 64.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 18.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 98.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 46.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.5 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Orleans Parish risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Orleans Parish:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is New Orleans, LA at risk of?
New Orleans is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Orleans Parish, where New Orleans is located, are hurricane, lightning, and cold wave.
What is New Orleans's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Orleans Parish, where New Orleans is located, scoring 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is New Orleans a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — New Orleans carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Orleans Parish.
Has New Orleans had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 37 tornado, 36 hail, 307 inland flooding events within 25 miles of New Orleans since 2016.