When we plan vacations, either alone or with family, multiple safety concerns cross our mind, such as: is it a safe place for female tourists? What are the crime situations in there? Is the area safe for a family trip? Or are there any natural hazards that you should be concerned about? Specifically, if your trip destination is the city of vibrant nightlife and music known as New Orleans. This place is safe to visit and stay for vacation; however, one main concern can threaten your and your family’s safety. This mood killer is the New Orleans hurricanes.
Before finalizing your vacation, it’s better to figure out when is the hurricane season in New Orleans and what month has the most hurricanes. Today, we will break down all the possible and predicted storms in the city for the current and next years. This will make your trip decision to New Orleans quick and easy.
What is Hurricane Season in New Orleans?
The Atlantic hurricane season in New Orleans starts in June and lasts till the end of November. During this period of the year, tropical and subtropical cyclones start to form in the North Atlantic Ocean. Well, we can’t say it for sure as nature is unpredictable so, tropical cyclone activities can start before or after June or November, and peak storms or typhoons can start between mid-August and mid-October.
The situation of evacuation is more likely to happen during hurricane season in New Orleans. Most of the cities that developed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico are more prone to tropical cyclones.
Moreover, the entire Parish is more likely to be affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. Overall, New Orleans is an utter disaster during the hurricane season. Planning a trip or living there during hurricane season is not recommended.
What Months are Hurricane Season in New Orleans?
Before booking your tickets, you should know which month has the most hurricanes in New Orleans. Some might have questions in mind like, “Is October hurricane season in New Orleans?” or “Is November hurricane season in New Orleans?” But, fret not! We are here to answer.
While the experience may vary between different months, there’s always a peak time for everything. And for New Orleans, it is more frequent from early June and late November. These horrific hurricanes tend to expand in late August to early September or August through October as well.
How Dangerous is Hurricane Season in New Orleans?
The hurricane season in New Orleans is intense and evacuation becomes the last resort. This city has an 11% chance of getting hit by hurricanes from June till November. These hurricanes can cause:
| Heavy rain | Tornadoes | Power outages | Loss of life |
| High winds | Flooding | Property damage | Economic Losses |
One of these hurricanes was Hurricane Katrina Category 5 which dragged the New Orleans’ population from 484,674 to 100,000. There were approximately 1,833 deaths during this destructive hurricane. During Katrina, the following areas of New Orleans were destroyed the most:
- The Ninth Ward (lower ninth ward)
- Lakeview
- The south Shore of Lake Pontchartrain
- St. Bernard Parish(Jefferson Parish)
Along with New Orleans, the hurricane Katrina demolished the following cities as well:
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Mississippi
- Cuba
- Alabama
Other than this detrimental hurricane, there were three worst hurricanes in history as Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the Lake Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928 and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. However, New Orleans is most likely to be the first target of these typhoons, tropical cyclones, and hurricanes. The danger of hurricanes is always dangling upon New Orleans and according to NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), hurricanes are likely to hit New Orleans once every seven to 11 years.
When was New Orleans’s Last Hurricane?
Hurricane Ida is the recent Hurricane that struck New Orleans on August 29, 2021. This typhoon was a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. This Hurricane made landfall at Port Fourchon on the 16th anniversary of the Katrina Hurricane. The storm that struck the Gulf Coast area of New Orleans was the Hurricane Katrina. This area has shown growth and progress ever since. However, the Hurricane of the 2020 census, hurricane Zeta, badly affected multiple areas in New Orleans.
How Often Do Hurricanes Hit New Orleans?
There is an 11% chance that New Orleans may get hit by hurricanes each year. It is the most hurricane-prone city in the United States. For the past couple of years, New Orleans has been struck by the following destructive hurricanes:
- Hurricane Ida: August 29, 2021
- Hurricane Katrina: August 29, 2005
- Hurricane Rita: September 24, 2005
- Hurricane Ike: September 13, 2008
- Hurricane Betsy: August 27, 1965
This indicates that New Orleans may face more hurricanes and typhoons shortly.
Is 2024 Going to be a Bad Hurricane Season?
2024 is not a safe year for New Orleans regarding Hurricanes. Tourists must understand that New Orleans is one of the most high-risk cities in terms of severe weather. Before packing your bags or booking your tickets to New Orleans, make sure you realize when hurricane season starts in New Orleans. Please check the weather updates and stay informed regarding sudden weather changes. Even during 2024, New Orleans is unsafe as this season might start from June/July and last till October with intervals.
Final Thoughts
When we think about storm surges, New Orleans comes to mind as this city is prone to natural destructions, and the most prevalent is hurricanes becoming a threat to tourists and residents. Tropical cyclones originate in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. So, be aware of the hurricane season in New Orleans. Whenever you plan a solo or family trip to this magical city. Your major concern should be, when is hurricane season in New Orleans? Lastly, we suggest you avoid visiting this city during the peak months of this drastic weather.
FAQs
What is the best month to visit New Orleans?
The safest and best months to visit New Orleans are February to May and mid-October. April and May in New Orleans offer the best festivals and events, while February is the month with less crowds.
When does hurricane season end in New Orleans?
The hurricane season in New Orleans is expected to end on 30th November. However, these tropical cyclones, typhoons or hurricanes can also start or end after November and the peak of this season is in late August to early September. This is why it is always advised to check on current news and weather conditions before planning a trip to New Orleans.
Is New Orleans safe during hurricane season?
New Orleans is a rapidly sinking land, which means it is at high risk of hurricanes, storms and weather fluctuation. It becomes a dangerous place to live. Moreover, visiting New Orleans during hurricane season is a blunder. You may also face a life-threatening and destructive hurricane; you will be stuck in situations like flooding, power outages, high winds, heavy rain, etc. Tourists must avoid visiting New Orleans from June till November.
Cristina Silva has graduated from New York University and has written for the Associated Press, the Tampa Bay Times, Salon, and NPR. She has reported from Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Germany, Italy, and Bahrain, as well as from across the United States.