Louisiana
Maps Show Which Louisiana Cities Will Be Under Water in 50 Years
VERMILION PARISH, La. (KPEL News) – Louisiana’s disappearing coastline has been a topic of conversation for decades, and it seems like we’re always getting new warnings and dire predictions about our homes in south Louisiana suddenly becoming beachfront property.
People are deeply concerned about Louisiana’s coastline disappearing due to the severe environmental, economic, and social consequences it entails. Louisiana’s coast is rapidly eroding at an alarming rate, primarily due to factors such as land subsidence, sea-level rise, and human activities like oil and gas extraction and canal dredging.
The disappearance of Louisiana’s coastline poses a significant threat to the state’s unique ecosystems, including marshes, wetlands, and barrier islands, which serve as vital habitats for diverse wildlife and help protect inland areas from storm surges and flooding. As these coastal habitats disappear, the region becomes more vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes, tropical storms, and other natural disasters, exacerbating the risk of property damage, loss of life, and displacement of communities.
Furthermore, Louisiana’s disappearing coastline has profound economic implications, particularly for industries such as fishing, tourism, and shipping, which rely on healthy coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods.
The loss of coastal land also threatens critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, transportation networks, and freshwater supplies, further jeopardizing the state’s economy and public safety.
Overall, the disappearance of Louisiana’s coastline represents a pressing environmental and societal crisis that demands urgent action to mitigate its impacts and preserve this valuable natural resource for future generations.
However, there is one website out there that is attempting to show us what Louisiana might look like in 50 years if things don’t change.
Credit: Climate Central
Louisiana Parishes Underwater?
The map was created by climate researchers at Climate Center, which is an organization of scientists and journalists studying the impacts of climate change on the world. Their goal is to show what the future holds for coastal communities as sea level rise.
Looking at the map Climate Center has provided, it looks like a lot of southern parishes could be at risk.
Just take a look at how much bigger Vermilion Bay could be getting by 2080 if their map holds true.
Credit: Climate Center
New Orleans being surrounded by levies is certainly beneficial for the Big Easy. It looks like everything surrounding the city is set to be underwater or close to being fully submerged in the half-century.
That, however, makes things worse in future hurricane seasons. Less land surrounding New Orleans means more powerful storms making landfall right on top of the city. That would be devastating if it holds true.
Credit: Climate Center
As we endure extreme weather events, researchers warn that those events are becoming stronger and more common. Louisiana has spent a lot of time and money trying to stop its coastline from eroding away, but predictions like these certainly make the threat seem a lot more dire.
We’re no stranger to extreme weather events, though. Take a look at some of the worst most Louisiana residents still talk about.
Most Feared Weather Events in Louisiana
An unscientific poll revealed that south Louisiana residents are most fearful of these weather events.
Gallery Credit: Tracy Wirtz
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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