Hurricane tops the risk list, and FEMA has declared Louisiana a disaster area 110 times since 1953. Here's what to prepare for — and how.
Louisiana sits at one of North America's most hazard-concentrated crossroads: a low-lying Gulf Coast state threaded by the Mississippi River delta, where warm Gulf waters fuel powerful storms and the flat, subsiding landscape offers little resistance to floodwaters. Hurricanes and flooding dominate the risk picture, together accounting for more than half of Louisiana's 77 major federal disaster declarations. The consequences have been devastating and well-documented. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 overwhelmed levees protecting New Orleans, killed more than 1,800 people, and displaced roughly one million residents in the largest domestic displacement since the Dust Bowl. Three years later, Hurricane Ike and Gustav struck in quick succession in 2008, forcing mass evacuations across southern parishes. Then Hurricane Laura made landfall near Lake Charles in August 2020 as one of the strongest storms ever to hit Louisiana, destroying tens of thousands of homes and leaving large portions of southwest Louisiana without power for weeks. Tornadoes add a secondary but real threat, particularly in the spring months across the northern and central parts of the state, while extreme heat bears down on urban and rural communities alike each summer. Louisiana's most recent major federal declaration was for a severe winter storm in 2026, a reminder that even less expected hazards demand attention. For residents, this history is not merely a record — it is a blueprint. Preparing go-bags, knowing evacuation routes, and signing up for parish-level alerts are baseline necessities in a state where major disasters arrive with painful regularity.
Hurricanes bring storm surge, wind damage, and flooding that can cut off evacuation routes.
Flooding is the most common US disaster — just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down.
Tornadoes can form within minutes and level a home — identify your safe room now.
Extreme heat kills more Americans than any other weather event every year.
This region faces the highest hurricane and flood risk in the state, with much of the land below sea level and directly exposed to storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain.
Sitting on the direct path of many Gulf storms, this region is especially vulnerable to catastrophic hurricane landfalls and the accompanying inland flooding, as demonstrated by Hurricane Laura in 2020.
Located inland, this region sees elevated tornado risk during spring severe-weather outbreaks and is susceptible to riverine flooding from the Red River and its tributaries.
The northern parishes experience the state's highest tornado frequency and are also subject to severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and occasional significant winter weather events.
Louisiana's rapidly eroding coastal fringe is acutely exposed to storm surge, chronic tidal flooding, and land subsidence that progressively reduce the natural buffer protecting inland communities.
Add your housing type to adjust the results for your specific situation.
Your housing type (select all that apply)
The state's official emergency management agency — alerts, shelter info, and disaster assistance.
Louisiana residents should register with their individual parish emergency notification system and can find links to all parish alert programs through GOHSEP's website; statewide alerts are also broadcast via the Louisiana Emergency Alert System on radio and television and through Wireless Emergency Alerts sent automatically to mobile phones in threatened areas.
What natural disasters is Louisiana most at risk for?
Louisiana faces the highest risk from hurricanes and flooding, driven by its Gulf Coast location and low-lying delta geography. Tornadoes present a medium risk, particularly in spring across central and northern parishes. Extreme heat is also a significant warm-season threat statewide. Together these hazards account for the overwhelming majority of Louisiana's 77 major federal disaster declarations.
When is hurricane season and how should Louisiana residents prepare?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity typically from August through October. Louisiana residents should maintain a go-bag with at least 72 hours of supplies, know their parish's designated evacuation routes and contraflow plan, identify a reliable out-of-state contact, and review their flood insurance coverage well before the season begins.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in Louisiana?
Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Because Louisiana has extensive flood-prone areas, residents are strongly encouraged to purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Policies typically take 30 days to take effect, so purchasing well before storm season is essential.
How do I receive emergency alerts in Louisiana?
Louisiana uses the Louisiana Emergency Alert System alongside parish-level notification platforms. Residents should register with their parish's local alert system, as warnings for hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes are often issued at the parish level first. Wireless Emergency Alerts are automatically pushed to cell phones in affected areas and require no sign-up.
Knowing your risks is step one. Two minutes with the readiness quiz tells you exactly where your preparation stands — and the free guide walks you through closing the gaps.