Discover The Rainiest Place In Louisiana

Written by Chanel Coetzee
Updated: May 26, 2023
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While Hawaii is the wettest state in the US because of its high level of rainfall, Louisiana comes second. This is because the Pelican State receives more dry days than most places on the top ten annual precipitation list, so when it does rain, it pours. But what is the rainiest place in Louisiana? Well, the wettest location will differ each year. However, there is always one city that stands out.

The Rainiest Place In Louisiana

It should come as no surprise that New Orleans is the rainiest place in Louisiana. The historic city receives around 63 inches of rain annually. Most of the city’s rain  falls during the months of:

  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December

However, New Orleans’ rainiest month is July, with an estimated 7.2 inches of rain. On the other hand, their driest month is October, with less than 3.8 inches of precipitation. New Orleans’ wettest year on record was 1991, with 102.4 inches of rainfall.

A rainy day in Jackson Square, New Orleans

A rainy day in Jackson Square, New Orleans.

©Kathleen K. Parker/Shutterstock.com

Population Size Of The Rainest Place In Louisiana

New Orleans has a population size of 398,04, and it takes first place as Louisiana’s biggest city. Furthermore, it is the 52nd biggest city in the US. However, this historic town continues to grow at a rate of 1.02% yearly. This city spans over 350 miles, with a population density of 2,337 individuals per square mile. There are 1.167 million people in New Orleans’ metropolitan area, making it the 46th largest in the US.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina severely impacted this city. It hit New Orleans in August 2005, and while there was time to evacuate residents, the city was devastated due to 80% of it being flooded. Sadly, approximately 1,500 died, but so many people are unaccounted for, so the number is likely much higher. After the hurricane, thousands of residents fled New Orleans, and in 2006 the population decreased to a mere 223,000 people. However, in 2007, 32,000 people returned to the city, and the population slowly started to increase year after year.

Where Is New Orleans Located On A Map?

The city of New Orleans is located in southeast Louisiana at the mouth of the great Mississippi-Missouri river system, almost at the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and is bordered by Lake Pontchartrain to the north and Lake Borgne, a lagoon of the Gulf of Mexico to the east. Louisiana is located in the southern part of the United States. It is bordered by Texas to the west, Mississippi to the east, Arkansas to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. 

Wildlife In The Rainiest Place In Louisiana

Due to Louisiana’s large region of low-lying swampy and wetland areas, the state has abundant wildlife. Thanks to the bayous, waterways, fields, and forests, these animals have diverse habitats, which aids in their survival. Louisiana has several state animals, including:

  • State mammal – Black bear
  • State bird – Brown pelican
  • State fish – White crappie
  • State insect – European honey bee
  • State reptile – American alligator
  • State amphibian – American green tree frog
Strongest animal bite – American alligator

The American alligator is Louisiana’s state reptile.

©RICIfoto/Shutterstock.com

Black Bear

In the past, American black bears’ territory spread through Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. However, today, there are three subpopulations that inhabit certain areas of Louisiana, which include:

  • The upper Atchafalaya River basin in the center
  • The lower Atchafalaya River basin in the south
  • The Tenas River basin in the north

However, black bear sightings are being reported more frequently in Mississippi thanks to bear restoration programs.

Brown Pelican

The brown pelican is the state bird of Louisiana and is different from the other six species of pelicans. You cannot find these birds on inland lakes. They prefer ocean shores instead. In addition, brown pelicans are the only pelicans that plunge into the water from the air to catch their prey and are the only dark species.

White crappie

The White crappie is native to the eastern and Midwestern states of the US, so they have many names, including:

  • Speckled perch
  • Specks
  • Strawberry bass
  • Calico bass
  • Oswego bass
  • Papermouth
  • White perch
  • Sac-a-lait

They are the most popular fish in Louisiana because of their mild, white, flaky, and sweet flesh.

European Honey Bee

The state insect for Louisiana is the European honeybee, also known as the western honeybee. The Pelican State decided to name the honeybee as their official insect due to its massive economic presence. In fact, the honeybee is the official state insect in several other states, including:

  • Arkansas
  • Georgia
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

American Alligator

Louisiana is notorious for its alligators, whose population has increased significantly in the state over the last 50 years. From less than 100,000 to over 2 million! They achieved this by stopping the harvest of these gigantic reptiles.

American Green Tree Frog

One of the most recognizable frogs in Louisiana is the green tree frog. They are commonly found in roadside ditches, swamps, ponds, and canals. Furthermore, people often see them on their doors and windows because they feed on the insects drawn to the outside lights.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Page Light Studios/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Chanel Coetzee is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily focusing on big cats, dogs, and travel. Chanel has been writing and researching about animals for over 10 years. She has also worked closely with big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and tigers at a rescue and rehabilitation center in South Africa since 2009. As a resident of Cape Town, South Africa, Chanel enjoys beach walks with her Stafford bull terrier and traveling off the beaten path.

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