Water Damage Restoration in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans by the numbers: 96 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 2 freezing nights a year, 24 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Louisiana insurance rules and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in New Orleans
- Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
New Orleans Flood Record
NOAA has 294 flood and flash flood reports for the 7 parishes of the New Orleans metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 96 separate days; July had the most.
At the New Orleans Lakefront Airport gauge, August is the wettest month with 6.5 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 19 report days.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 5.3 |
| February | 4 | 4.1 |
| March | 5 | 4.6 |
| April | 7 | 5.9 |
| May | 14 | 4.9 |
| June | 9 | 6 |
| July | 28 | 6.3 |
| August | 13 | 6.5 |
| September | 7 | 4.6 |
| October | 3 | 3.6 |
| November | 1 | 3.6 |
| December | 3 | 4.6 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish | 65 | 171 |
| Jefferson Parish | 32 | 59 |
| St. Charles Parish | 27 | 40 |
| St. Bernard Parish | 10 | 10 |
| St. James Parish | 6 | 7 |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | 5 | 5 |
| Plaquemines Parish | 1 | 2 |
Freezing Nights in New Orleans
New Orleans averages 2 nights a year at or below 32°F (New Orleans Lakefront Airport station). NOAA counted 3 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 7 parishes of the New Orleans metro area from 2016 to 2025.
Storms and Disasters in New Orleans
The 7 parishes of the New Orleans metro area were named in 24 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- May 16, 2024: Thunderstorm wind, 84 mph gust (Jefferson Parish)MSY ASOS measured a wind gust of 73.2 knots (84 mph).
- May 15, 2022: Hail, 2 inch hail (Plaquemines Parish)A picture from social media showed 2 inch sized hail near the Braithwaite Ferry on the east side of the Mississippi.
- March 22, 2022: Tornado, EF3 (St. Bernard Parish)A tornado moved into St. Bernard Parish from Orleans Parish near Friscoville Avenue at the Mississippi River. The most intense damage was from the riverbank to the canal in Arabi.
- August 29, 2021: Hurricane (Jefferson Parish)Ida���s inner eyewall moved across the far western end of Grand Isle with estimated winds of around 155mph.
- February 7, 2017: Tornado, EF3 (Orleans Parish)A tornado touched down just east of the industrial canal and moved northeast into the Evangeline Oaks Subdivision where it quickly strengthened into a multi-vortex EF-2 tornado.
Federal disaster declarations
- June 30, 2026: Tropical Storm ArthurTropical Storm, FEMA DR-4927
- January 24, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3638
- September 16, 2024: Hurricane FrancineHurricane, FEMA DR-4817
- September 10, 2024: Tropical Storm FrancineHurricane, FEMA EM-3614
- September 13, 2021: Tropical Storm NicholasCoastal Storm, FEMA EM-3574
- August 29, 2021: Hurricane IdaHurricane, FEMA DR-4611
- August 27, 2021: Tropical Storm IdaHurricane, FEMA EM-3568
New Orleans Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of New Orleans (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 195,552 housing units, a median build year of 1960, 74% built before 1980, 61% before 1970, 51% owner occupied.
Louisiana Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Louisiana insurers must pay a claim due an insured within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss (La. R.S. 22:1892).
Claim problems in Louisiana go to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up New Orleans flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for New Orleans
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Questions
When is the first freeze in New Orleans?
The median first night at or below 32°F is January 5 and the median last is January 22 at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Does Louisiana license mold assessment or remediation?
Yes. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires a mold remediation license for remediation projects worth $7,500 or more (LSLBC, types of licenses).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, La. R.S. 22:1892, LSLBC, types of licenses, EPA mold guide.