New Orleans, LA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: August 2026
New Orleans sits mostly below sea level, protected by an extensive levee and pump system. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of levee failure, and the city remains vulnerable to storm surge, heavy rainfall, and pump system failures.
Orleans Parish has recorded 127,247 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $7.2B in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
79,989
Orleans Parish
Avg. Premium
$937/yr
Orleans Parish
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Orleans Parish
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $46.7M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $1.9M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $222.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish has been included in 30 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 22 earlier declarations since 2008.
These declarations affected communities across Orleans Parish, including New Orleans.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Orleans Parish
Properties in Orleans Parish have filed 127,247 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.2B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $57K.
Highest-Claim Years
2005
71,538 claims - $6.7B
1995
13,842 claims - $160.6M
1983
5,521 claims - $25.7M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Orleans Parish
Only roughly 1 in 2 households in Orleans Parish carries NFIP flood insurance (53% of estimated households).
Penetration Rate
53%
roughly 1 in 2 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
127,247 claims over 45+ years across 79,989 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$56,514
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Orleans Parish has averaged 1.6 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include New Orleans.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
What Your Flood Zone Means in New Orleans
New Orleans faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in New Orleans are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $46.7M. Properties in New Orleans's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements. New Orleans has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in New Orleans means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any New Orleans address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Orleans Parish
Orleans Parish has 7,621 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 1,303 severe repetitive loss properties. 574 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
7,621
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
1,303
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
574
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 7,472 of 7,621 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Orleans Parish
NOAA has recorded 209 flood events in Orleans Parish since 1996, causing $6.7M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Orleans Parish
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1,175 properties in Orleans Parish, investing $861.8M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026.
New Orleans, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in New Orleans, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in New Orleans are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in New Orleans?
If your New Orleans property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in New Orleans?
Enter your New Orleans address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in New Orleans?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Orleans Parish (where New Orleans is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $46.7M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has New Orleans experienced major flooding events?
Orleans Parish, where New Orleans is located, has been part of 30 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Francine in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in New Orleans?
Orleans Parish has recorded 127,247 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $7.2B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2005, with 71,538 claims and $6.7B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including New Orleans.
How many flood insurance policies are active in New Orleans?
Orleans Parish currently has 79,989 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $937. The most policies are in Zone X (56,776 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many New Orleans properties have flooded repeatedly?
Orleans Parish has 7,621 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1,303 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my New Orleans property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in New Orleans?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In New Orleans's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Louisiana Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any New Orleans, LA Address
Enter a New Orleans, LA address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.