Gulf Coast — High Risk Zone
Louisiana is one of the most hurricane-vulnerable states in the nation. With a coastline shaped by the Mississippi River delta, extensive low-lying marshland, and major population centers like New Orleans sitting below sea level, the storm surge risk here is extraordinary. Residents must prepare before storm season — not after a storm is named.
⚠ Storm Surge Warning
Storm surge — not wind — is the leading cause of hurricane deaths in Louisiana. Surge can exceed 15–20 feet in some coastal parishes during a major hurricane. Know your parish evacuation zone before the season starts.
Storm History
Louisiana has endured some of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, including Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Rita (2005), Hurricane Gustav (2008), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Laura (2020), and Hurricane Ida (2021). Ida caused over $75 billion in damage. Laura made landfall near Lake Charles as a Category 4 with a catastrophic storm surge.
Official Resources
Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
Louisiana GOHSEP →Official zone lookup — check before the season, not when a storm is named.
Louisiana Hurricane Evacuation Zones →Louisiana-Specific
Current Atlantic Activity
Images from NOAA NHC (nhc.noaa.gov). Not affiliated with NHC. Full Storm Center →
Take Action Now
Water, food, power, first aid, medications, documents, pets — everything to stock before the storm.
Go-bag contents, when to leave, how to secure your home, zone lookup links.
Generator safety (never indoors), food safety, heat safety, communications.
FAQ