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The City of New Orleans

Hazards

Severe Thunderstorms - Lightning

Definition

Lightning is a natural electrical discharge in the atmosphere that is a by-product of thunderstorms.  Every thunderstorm produces lightning.  There are three primary types of lightning: intra-cloud, cloud-to-ground, and cloud-to-cloud.  Cloud-to-ground lightning has the potential to cause the most damage to property and crops while also posing a health risk to the populace in the area of the strike.

Damage caused by lightning is usually to homes or businesses.  These strikes have the ability to damage electrical equipment inside the home or business and can also ignite a fire that could destroy homes or crops. 

Lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States per FEMA, but it also has the ability to cause adverse long-term health effects to the individual that is struck.  The following table outlines the lightning activity level that is a measurement of lightning activity.

Table 38: Lightning Activity Level (LAL) Grids
LAL Cloud and Storm Development Lightning Strikes/15 Min
1 No thunderstorms. -
2 Cumulus clouds are common, but only a few reach the towering cumulus stage.  A single thunderstorm must be confirmed in the observation area.  The clouds produce mainly virga, but light rain will occasionally reach the ground.  Lightning is very infrequent. 1-8
3 Towering cumulus covers less than two-tenths of the sky.  Thunderstorms are few, but two to three must occur within the observation.  Light to moderate rain will reach the ground, and lightning is infrequent. 9-15
4 Towering cumulus covers two to three-tenths of the sky.  Thunderstorms are scattered, and more than three must occur within the observation area.  Moderate rain is common, and lightning is frequent. 16-25
5 Towering cumulus and thunderstorms are numerous.  They cover more than three-tenths and occasionally obscure the sky.  Rain is moderate to heavy, and lightning is frequent. > 25
6 Similar to LAL 3 except thunderstorms are dry  

Source: National Weather Service

Location and Extent

Because lightning is a climatological based hazard and has the same probability of occurring in New Orleans as all of the adjacent parishes, the entire planning area for New Orleans is equally at risk for lightning. At the time of publication, historic LAL data is unavailable.

Previous Occurrences

The NOAA records for lightning in the parish are provided in the following table.

Table 39: Lightning, Orleans Parish, 1994-2019
Location Date Type Deaths Injuries Property Damage
New Orleans Lakefront 4/14/1996 Lightning 0 0 $0
New Orleans Lakefront 4/17/1996 Lightning 1 0 $0
New Orleans 6/21/1998 Lightning 0 0 $120,000
Algiers 9/6/1999 Lightning 0 0 $50,000
New Orleans 6/4/2000 Lightning 2 0 $0
New Orleans 5/30/2005 Lightning 0 0 $0
New Orleans 6/6/2005 Lightning 0 0 $0
New Orleans 6/4/2007 Lightning 0 0 $50,000
Totals     3 0 $220,000

Source: NOAA National Center for Environmental Information

Vulnerability

Currently, there not a wholly accurate way to predict future occurrence of lightning or to quantify its vulnerability. For a list of vulnerable critical facilities please see Appendix C.

Relevant Actions

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather
Goal:
Goal 1: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the human environment including cultural resources, homeowners, renters, visitors, and transient populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-3 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 14

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-2 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Safety and Permits)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 14

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Winter Weather, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
2-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
Homeland Security, FEMA, Health and Human Services
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 2, ESF 4, ESF 6, ESF 8, ESF 10

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 3: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the natural environment including wetland restoration and recognition of New Orleans as a coastal city.
Status:
Timeframe:
3-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
SWBNO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 12

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
3-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
City capital bond funds, GOMESA, CDBG, CDBG-NDR, Sewerage and Water Board, State capital outlay, FHWA, FEMA-HMGP, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 1, ESF 3

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Community Development)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
GOMESA, CPRA, CWPPRA, Sewerage and Water Board
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 1, ESF 3

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-2 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Department of Public Works, Parks and Parkways)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 3, ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 15

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tropical Cyclones, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 4: Maximize the involvement of individuals, businesses, and groups in risk reduction measures through education/outreach on hazard mitigation appropriate to all groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
State and Federal Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5, ESF 7

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Storm Surge, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-2 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
3 to 5 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Community Development)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
3 to 5 years
Priority:
Low
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (City Planning Commission)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5, ESF 14

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Information Technology & Innovation)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA-HMGP
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
SWBNO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA-HMGP
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
NORA
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA-HMGP
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
HANO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA-HMGP
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
4-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
Tulane University
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA-HMGP
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Subsidence
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-2 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
Health and Human Services, CDC, EPA
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 8, ESF 6

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Community Development)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
State Revenue
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Extreme Heat, Winter Weather, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-3 years
Priority:
Low
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
HANO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time
Funding source:
TBD
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Extreme Heat, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 5: To promote, implement, and sustain mitigation measures in Orleans Parish in order to reduce and manage risks to human life, the environment, and property.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-3 years
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Parks & Parkways)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time, Contract Labor
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants, and Private Funds
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 5

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 6: To protect Orleans Parish and the surrounding region from the effects of natural and manmade hazards, ensuring community continuity in the event of such hazards.
Status:
Timeframe:
3-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
CNO (Office of Resilience & Sustainability, Neighborhood Engagement Office)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
City Staff Time
Funding source:
CNO General Fund, State and Federal Grants, Philanthropic Grants
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 7, ESF 14

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tornadoes, Tropical Cyclones, Severe Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat, Subsidence, Winter Weather, Coastal Erosion, Infectious Disease Outbreak, Active Threats, Infrastructure Failure, Hazardous Materials, Economic Shock
Goal:
Goal 6: To protect Orleans Parish and the surrounding region from the effects of natural and manmade hazards, ensuring community continuity in the event of such hazards.
Status:
Timeframe:
1-5 years
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
HANO
Support Agencies:
Cost:
TBD
Funding source:
TBD
Emergency Support Function:

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
All
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
TBD
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
SWBNO Emergency Mgmt
Support Agencies:
Cost:
21000000
Funding source:
PDM/SWBNO
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 6

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding, Tropical Cyclone, Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:
Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.
Status:
Timeframe:
45290
Priority:
Medium
2015 Priority:
N/A
Lead Agencies:
SWBNO Operations
Support Agencies:
Cost:
90000000
Funding source:
PW
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 3

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding,Storm Surge,Tropical Cyclones,Tornadoes,Subsidence,Winter Weather,Extreme Heat,Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:

Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.

Status:
Timeframe:
On Going
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
Tulane University (Office of Risk Management)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Cost will be project specific
Funding source:
GOHSEP; FEMA
Emergency Support Function:
ESF 3

Comment on this action item

Hazard:
Flooding,Tropical Cyclones,Coastal Erosion,Tornadoes,Subsidence,Winter Weather,Extreme Heat,Severe Thunderstorms
Goal:

Goal 2: Reduce risk and vulnerability to the built environment including current and future structures; critical facilities; historic structures; and infrastructure, including communications infrastructure.

Status:
Timeframe:
1 year
Priority:
High
2015 Priority:
Lead Agencies:
Tulane University (Office of Capital Projects and Real Estate)
Support Agencies:
Cost:
Staff Time and Data Costs
Funding source:
NOAA; USGS; NOAA; FEMA; TDEM; DOT; DHS; EPA; GOHSEP
Emergency Support Function:

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