New Orleans
United States
New Orleans is projected to face increased heavy rainfall events and heightened risks of arbovirus transmission and malaria. In response, the city implements technology-enabled climate resilience solutions, focusing on infrastructure monitoring, decision support for climate adaptation planning, and urban planning. Current initiatives include building code and permit management, code enforcement, and land use planning. Altogether, these solutions represent a cohesive strategy to bolster resilience against climate hazards, supporting both present needs and future projections. By enhancing infrastructure and planning frameworks, New Orleans is working proactively to navigate its environmental challenges and safeguard public health and safety.
Hazard Outlook
How will New Orleans's projected climate hazards compare to other cities under a 3.0°C future warming scenario?
Elevation
At 4 m elevation, New Orleans faces very high risk from coastal flooding and sea level rise.
Maximum Rainfall
New Orleans's projected maximum rainfall of 15 mm is among the highest of all cities globally.
Longest Heatwave
New Orleans may experience heatwaves lasting up to 5 days, higher than most other cities.
Maximum Temperature
New Orleans's projected maximum temperature of 8.9°C is near the median of cities globally under a 3.0°C warming scenario.
Heavy Rainfall Days
With 10 days of heavy rainfall expected, New Orleans ranks near the median of cities for extreme precipitation events.
Exposure Summary
Adaptation Priorities
New Orleans faces high exposure to elevation, max rain and elevated exposure to heatwave. These areas may warrant priority attention in adaptation planning.
Data source: Climate projections from the IPCC AR6 scenario analysis. See our methodology for details on how we process and interpret this data.
Deployed Solutions
Deployed climate adaptation technologies identified in New Orleans.
Recommended Solutions
Proven solutions from similar cities that could help diversify New Orleans's resilience portfolio
Multi-Technology Roof Assessment and Retrofit Program
85%In 2015, the District's Department of General Services (DGS) launched a comprehensive roof assessment initiative that evaluated over 250 acres of District-owned roofs for their suitability for solar photovoltaics (PVs), solar thermal, green roofs, daylighting, or cool roofs.
Solar-Powered Community Resilience Hubs with Emergency Resources
82%Resilient community centers in San Juan function as critical infrastructure equipped with renewable energy systems and emergency resources to support residents during climate disasters and grid failures.
Hospital Infrastructure Resiliency and Floodproofing Upgrades
82%NYC Health + Hospitals implemented comprehensive resiliency upgrades across multiple hospital facilities following Hurricane Sandy, including installation of backup power systems, elevation and hardening of building systems, and floodproofing of lower levels.
Community Solar Microgrid for Emergency Response and Communications
82%Following Hurricane María in 2017, Casa Pueblo in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico coordinated a diaspora-driven emergency response that distributed solar-powered lamps across multiple municipalities and maintained critical radio communications between the island and mainland United States.
Rockaway Peninsula Gas Infrastructure Resilience Program
82%National Grid commenced a program in the Rockaway Peninsula to make its gas system more resilient through accelerated replacement of leak-prone mains and installation of automated meters and other devices.