New Orleans Hurricane Season Preparedness Guide for 2027

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but New Orleans does not wait for a storm to appear in the Gulf before making a plan. The most useful preparation happens while shelves are stocked, roads are open and you have time to check on the people, pets and places that depend on you.

This 2027 guide is a starting point for New Orleans residents, renters, homeowners, students and visitors. Storm forecasts, evacuation routes, shelter information, transit service and emergency contacts can change. Before a storm, confirm current instructions through the City of New Orleans, NOLA Ready, the National Hurricane Center and local emergency officials.

Start with official alerts and a reliable information plan

Sign up for local emergency notifications through NOLA Ready, the city’s preparedness and emergency-information program. Check that your phone can receive alerts, and decide how you will get information if internet or cell service is limited. A battery-powered weather radio, a portable phone battery and a written list of contacts are useful backups.

Use the National Hurricane Center for tropical forecasts and the National Weather Service office serving New Orleans and the surrounding region for local watches, warnings, rainfall and heat information. Social media can help you find updates, but it should not replace official instructions.

Save the difference between emergency and non-emergency help. Call 911 for an immediate threat to life or property. For city services and non-emergency questions, use the current 311 options listed by the City of New Orleans. Those contact methods, hours and online forms should be checked before publication and again when a storm threatens.

Make an evacuation plan before you need it

Know whether you will leave, stay with someone outside the area or use public emergency assistance if officials call for an evacuation. Do not wait for a named storm to become a personal deadline. Discuss transportation, lodging, medications, work schedules and the needs of children, older adults and people with disabilities now.

Evacuation routes and designated pickup locations can change depending on the storm, road conditions and regional instructions. Check the current city and state evacuation guidance rather than relying on an old screenshot or a route saved years ago. Louisiana’s statewide preparedness information is available through Get a Game Plan.

If you plan to drive, keep your vehicle fueled or charged, make sure it is in working condition and take a paper map. Leave early when officials advise it; major routes out of Orleans Parish can become congested well before a storm arrives. If you do not have a vehicle, identify possible rides with friends, relatives, neighbors or a current public evacuation service. Confirm in advance whether pets can travel with you.

People who rely on electricity for medical equipment, refrigerated medicine, home health support or mobility devices should make a specific backup plan. Ask medical providers, caregivers and emergency officials about current assistance programs and registration options. Do not assume that a shelter or charging site will meet a particular medical need unless officials confirm it.

Prepare an apartment, house or business for wind and water

New Orleans preparation looks different in a raised house in Gentilly, a shotgun home in the Lower Ninth Ward, a condo in the Central Business District or a ground-floor apartment in Mid-City. Walk around your property before hurricane season and identify what could blow away, leak or block a drain.

• Bring in or secure patio furniture, trash cans, planters, umbrellas, tools and other loose items.
• Clear leaves and debris from private drains and gutters where you are responsible for doing so. Never remove a storm drain cover or place debris in the street.
• Check roof, window, door and fence conditions, and ask a landlord or property manager about repairs before a storm is approaching.
• Photograph the condition of your home and belongings, and store copies of insurance policies and important records somewhere accessible away from the property.
• Review both homeowners or renters insurance and flood insurance. Standard policies may not cover flood damage; confirm details with your insurer or use FloodSmart for federal flood-insurance information.

Keep floodwater out of your home only with methods appropriate for the property and your ability to install them safely. Sandbag locations, distribution rules and limits can vary by storm. Look for current instructions from the city or your parish rather than arriving at a site without checking.

Build a practical hurricane kit

Plan for at least several days without normal power, water service, refrigeration, stores or card payments. The right amount depends on the size of your household, medical needs and whether you expect to evacuate.

• Drinking water and shelf-stable food that household members will actually eat.
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, first-aid supplies, glasses and mobility or medical-device supplies.
• Flashlights, extra batteries, a battery radio, phone power banks and charging cables.
• Cash in small bills, identification, insurance information, keys and copies of important documents.
• Hand sanitizer, soap, toilet supplies, cleaning materials and sturdy gloves.
• Clothing, sturdy shoes, blankets and supplies for infants, older adults or anyone with specific care needs.
• Pet food, water, medications, a carrier or leash, identification and vaccination records.

Fill prescriptions early when a storm is forecast, and keep your kit somewhere above likely floodwater. Freeze water in containers to help keep food cold during a power outage, but leave room for expansion. A portable generator can be dangerous: operate it outdoors, far from doors, windows and vents, and never use a charcoal grill, camp stove or generator inside a home, garage or enclosed porch.

Plan for flooding and long power outages

Flooding can come from heavy rain, storm surge, drainage problems or water entering from nearby streets and waterways. A familiar route through Lakeview, New Orleans East, Uptown or the Bywater may become unsafe quickly. Never walk or drive through floodwater; its depth and current can be deceptive, and it may hide debris or electrical hazards.

Before a storm, move valuables, electronics and important records to higher shelves or another level if possible. Photograph appliances and rooms for insurance documentation. If you use a sump pump or other equipment, know how it operates and what backup power it requires.

For outages, check your electric utility’s current outage-reporting and restoration information rather than depending on neighborhood rumor. Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible, and discard food that has been held at unsafe temperatures. Stay away from downed lines and report hazards through the utility or 911 when there is an immediate danger.

Include pets, neighbors and visitors

Pet-friendly evacuation requires more than food. Identify a destination that accepts animals, keep carriers and leashes easy to reach, and place a current identification tag on each pet. Ask hotels, relatives or boarding facilities about their storm policies before hurricane season. Public shelters may have specific animal requirements or limited capacity, so verify details with officials when an evacuation is ordered.

Check on neighbors who may need help receiving alerts, moving supplies, arranging transportation or communicating with officials. Do so before weather deteriorates. If you rent, ask your property manager about building procedures, elevator shutdowns, roof access, generator rules and re-entry after a storm.

Visitors staying in the French Quarter, Marigny, Warehouse District or elsewhere in the city should follow their hotel, host and official emergency instructions. A short visit does not remove the need for a transportation plan, medication supply and a way to receive local alerts.

After the storm: return carefully

Do not return until officials say it is safe and re-entry is allowed. Roads may be blocked, traffic signals may be out and utilities may remain hazardous. Avoid downed wires, standing water, damaged buildings and spoiled food. Use official city and utility updates for information about sanitation, debris, water service, transit and neighborhood access.

Document damage before making permanent repairs when it is safe, keep receipts and contact your insurer promptly. If you need food, shelter, cleanup help or other assistance, use current information from the City of New Orleans, Louisiana emergency-management agencies and FEMA. Recovery resources and application deadlines can vary after each disaster.

The best New Orleans hurricane plan is specific: a place to go, a way to get there, supplies for your household, a plan for pets and a short list of official sources. Review it before June, refresh it when a storm enters the Gulf and help a neighbor do the same.