Evacuation Guide

New Orleans, Louisiana Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Hurricane

New Orleans is one of the most hurricane-vulnerable cities in the world. Katrina (2005) caused catastrophic flooding. The city's below-sea-level geography makes any hurricane extremely dangerous.

Flood

Most of New Orleans is below sea level and dependent on pumps. Heavy rainfall alone can cause significant flooding when pumps cannot keep up. Flash flooding is common.

Storm Surge

Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi River delta surge threaten the city from multiple directions. The IHNC Surge Barrier provides some protection but has limits.

Levee Failure

Post-Katrina levee system is significantly improved but not fail-proof. Overtopping in extreme events remains possible. Pump stations are critical infrastructure.

River Flooding

Mississippi River high water events stress the levee system. Bonnet Carre Spillway opens to relieve pressure but surrounding areas can flood.

Land Subsidence

New Orleans sinks 1-2 inches per year in some areas due to subsidence. This increases flood vulnerability over time and stresses infrastructure.

Evacuation Routes

I-10 West to Baton Rouge

primary

Primary western evacuation via I-10. Contraflow lanes activated during mandatory hurricane evacuations. Baton Rouge is the nearest large inland city with shelters and resources.

80 miles to Baton Rouge1.25 hours (normal), 4-8 hours (evacuation)

CONTRAFLOW activated on I-10 W during mandatory evacuation - all lanes become westbound

Bonnet Carre Spillway area between LaPlace and NOLA can flood independently

Hurricane

Storm Surge

Levee Failure

Flood

I-10 East to Slidell / Mississippi

secondary

Eastern evacuation via I-10 across Lake Pontchartrain. Provides access to Mississippi and points east. Twin Span Bridge crosses open water.

33 miles to Slidell, 90 miles to Hattiesburg MS40 min to Slidell (normal), 2-4 hours (evacuation)

Twin Span Bridge crosses 5 miles of open Lake Pontchartrain - closes in high winds

Slidell itself took major damage from Katrina - may not be safe for Gulf storms

Hurricane (to continue north to MS)

Levee Failure

Chemical Spill

I-55 North to Jackson, Mississippi

secondary

Northern evacuation via I-55. Crosses Lake Pontchartrain Causeway area then heads north to Jackson, MS. Gets you well inland and to higher ground.

185 miles to Jackson, MS2.75 hours (normal), 7-10 hours (evacuation)

Long route but gets you well inland to higher ground

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway approach area can flood

Hurricane (major Cat 3+)

Storm Surge

Extended Evacuation

US-90 West to Lafayette

tertiary

Western surface road alternative via US-90 when I-10 is gridlocked. Slower but functional route through bayou country to Lafayette.

135 miles to Lafayette2.5 hours (normal), 5-8 hours (evacuation)

Slower than I-10 but an alternative when interstate is gridlocked

Bayou country sections are low-lying and can flood

Hurricane (I-10 gridlocked)

Localized Flood

Industrial Accident

Mississippi River Levee Trail (On Foot)

foot

On-foot evacuation along the Mississippi River levee system. The levees are the highest ground in New Orleans. Use when roads are flooded and vehicles unavailable.

6 miles (Uptown to Audubon area)2-3 hours on foot

The levee is the HIGHEST ground in New Orleans - head there during flooding

Most of the city is BELOW sea level - any flooding traps you in a bowl

Levee Failure

Flash Flood

Vehicle Unavailable

Pump Failure

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Mercedes-Benz Superdome (Caesars Superdome)

shelter • Capacity: 20,000

Ochsner Medical Center - Main Campus

hospital • Capacity: 767

University Medical Center New Orleans

hospital • Capacity: 446

Tulane Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 235

Touro Infirmary

hospital • Capacity: 278

New Orleans Fire Station 1 - Central

fire station

Audubon Park Rally Point

rally point

City Park / Bayou St. John Rally Point

rally point

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

resource

Smoothie King Center

rally point

Algiers Point (Westbank High Ground)

rally point

Xavier University of Louisiana

shelter • Capacity: 1,500

New Orleans East Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 110

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