Can a drone fly near Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after the storm?

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is Class B airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL in the inner area around the airport; over most of New Orleans, the West Bank, and St. Bernard Parish the Class B starts at 2,000 to 4,000 feet MSL, as the FAA lists it. For every address, the pilot checks the airspace and gets FAA authorization where it is required. If the FAA does not allow a flight, it does not happen. The job review confirms whether and when a flight can happen at your address.

Do I need a permit to repair or replace a roof in New Orleans?

City of New Orleans: The Department of Safety and Permits requires a separate residential re-roofing permit for roof replacement affecting 50 percent or more of the roof on one- and two-family homes, applied for online with inspections done by geotagged photos at four stages; smaller roofing work is exempt unless other criteria apply. Historic district properties need an extra review. City code lets emergency repairs start first if the application is filed by the next working business day. We did not find a storm permit notice. If it is safe, have the roof documented before the tarp goes on, then document the tarp once it is on.

How does storm debris pickup work in New Orleans?

City of New Orleans: Earlier guidance: after Hurricane Francine in September 2024, the city asked residents to put bagged debris and bundled branches next to their city trash cart on the regular collection day. We did not find an Isaias debris notice on NOLA Ready or nola.gov. Check the official page for current details. Before anything goes to the curb, a drone flight can record where trees and debris came to rest.

Are there local drone rules in New Orleans?

State of Louisiana: Louisiana law gives the state exclusive jurisdiction over drones and preempts parish and city drone rules. A separate state law limits using a drone to photograph or surveil listed facilities such as refineries, chemical plants, critical infrastructure, and military installations without consent, with exceptions, so the pilot keeps the flight on the property being documented. Pilots check local rules for takeoff and landing sites as well as FAA rules. The job review confirms whether and when a flight can happen.

New Orleans Drone Documentation After Isaias

Storm facts, as of October 9, 2026, 10 PM CDT

At 10 PM CDT on October 9, 2026, National Hurricane Center Advisory 14 placed the center of Isaias over the western Florida Panhandle, about 45 miles east-northeast of Pensacola, moving north near 20 mph with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph, and expected it to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday. National Hurricane Center, Public Advisory 14.
At 8:30 PM CDT on October 9, 2026, the National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Update.
The National Hurricane Center's 4 PM CDT advisory on October 9 placed Isaias about 90 miles south of Pensacola with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, moving north at 17 mph, and forecast landfall on the western Florida Panhandle coast that evening, then a track across Alabama into the Tennessee Valley. National Hurricane Center, Public Advisory 13.
That advisory carried a hurricane warning from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay and Gulf county line in Florida, and tropical storm warnings to the west into Louisiana and to the east to the Aucilla River. National Hurricane Center, Public Advisory 13.
The same 4 PM CDT advisory carried a storm surge warning from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River, and a tropical storm warning from the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to west of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. National Hurricane Center, Public Advisory 13.
Its storm surge forecast was 3 to 5 feet above ground from the mouth of the Mississippi River to Dauphin Island, Alabama, somewhere in that area if the peak surge occurs at high tide, and it said surge-related flooding can vary greatly over short distances. For storm information specific to an area, it pointed to the local National Weather Service forecast office. National Hurricane Center, Public Advisory 13.
Louisiana: when we checked, the state emergency office's Hurricane Isaias page listed forecast and preparation updates only, and we did not find an Isaias emergency proclamation by Governor Landry or an Isaias emergency declaration on the official pages of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, or Plaquemines Parish. Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Hurricane Isaias.

For current warnings and orders in the New Orleans area, follow the National Hurricane Center and New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOLA Ready).

If Isaias reaches New Orleans

The advisory lines above are the National Hurricane Center's own words about the Louisiana coast, with the warning and surge breakpoints as it named them. If wind brings a tree or limbs down on a roof, lifts shingles, or lets rain in anywhere in the City of New Orleans (Orleans Parish), unincorporated Jefferson Parish, St. Bernard Parish, and Plaquemines Parish, the record that helps most is the one made before the tree is cut off the roof and the tarp goes on. A drone flight records the roof from overhead without anyone climbing it, and it records where trees and limbs came to rest before they are hauled to the curb.

Safety first

Do not go back, fly a drone, or climb a roof in New Orleans until local officials say it is safe. Stay off the roof: a drone flight is how the roof gets documented without anyone on it. Do what keeps people safe and prevents more damage, even if that means the tarp goes on before anyone flies.

Airspace around New Orleans

The FAA decides who may fly where. Here is what FAA airspace data and orders show in and around the New Orleans area, checked October 9, 2026:

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Class B airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL in the inner area around the airport; over most of New Orleans, the West Bank, and St. Bernard Parish the Class B starts at 2,000 to 4,000 feet MSL). Controlled airspace from the ground up over most of the east bank of Jefferson Parish, including unincorporated Metairie, River Ridge, Elmwood, and Jefferson at the points FAA data were checked, and a sliver at the Orleans Parish line. A Part 107 pilot needs FAA airspace authorization before a flight there. The airport is on the FAA's LAANC list, facility map squares are set from 0 to 400 feet, and 0 feet means further coordination with the FAA. Over the lake the Class B starts at 600 feet MSL, and the pilot checks each address. faa.gov
New Orleans Lakefront Airport (Class D airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet MSL within 4.4 miles of the airport, east of Lakeview, when in effect by NOTAM). Controlled airspace from the ground up over parts of New Orleans around the airport, including Gentilly and the lakefront side of New Orleans East at the points checked. A Part 107 pilot needs FAA airspace authorization before a flight there, and the pilot checks each address. faa.gov
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Belle Chasse (Class D airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet MSL within 4.7 miles of the field, with extensions southwest and northeast, when in effect by NOTAM, plus a national security drone flight restriction from the surface to 400 feet over the base itself). Controlled airspace from the ground up over parts of upper Plaquemines Parish around Belle Chasse and Braithwaite, the Estelle area of the Jefferson Parish West Bank, and the lower coast of Algiers. A Part 107 pilot needs FAA airspace authorization before a flight in the Class D. Over the base itself, drones may not fly at all: it is a fixed no-fly area, not something an airspace authorization approves, and a property next to it is planned so the drone stays outside the boundary on the FAA map. FAA data
Alert Area A-381 (an alert area from the surface to 2,000 feet MSL, sunrise to sunset daily, over most of the area south of 30 degrees north outside the airports' surface areas, including much of New Orleans, the Jefferson Parish West Bank, St. Bernard Parish, and most of Plaquemines Parish). The FAA describes an alert area as airspace that may hold a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity. It is not a no-fly area, but low-flying aircraft, including helicopters, may be there, so the pilot keeps a close watch. faa.gov
Caesars Superdome and Yulman Stadium (FAA stadium flight restrictions within 3 nautical miles of each stadium, from one hour before to one hour after the scheduled time of an NFL or Division One college football game). On game days, drones may not fly in those circles around game time, and together they take in much of central New Orleans. The pilot checks the game schedule and plans the flight around it. faa.gov
The French Quarter, Uptown, Mid-City, Lakeview, and most of Algiers; the Jefferson Parish West Bank outside Estelle; St. Bernard Parish; and Plaquemines Parish south of Belle Chasse (areas where FAA data show no controlled airspace near the ground, no restricted area, and no national security drone restriction at the points checked). The Class B, Lakefront, and Belle Chasse edges run through the area, the alert area and stadium circles above still apply, so the pilot checks the exact address, and after the storm the FAA may put a temporary flight restriction over the area. FAA data

For every address in New Orleans, the pilot checks the airspace and gets FAA authorization where it is required. The job review confirms whether and when a flight can happen. See the FAA rules for drone roof inspections.

FAA flight restrictions after the storm

The FAA issues temporary flight restrictions for natural disasters such as hurricanes. They are published as NOTAMs and keep aircraft, including drones, from flying in an area without permission for a limited time. Active restrictions over Louisiana are on the FAA’s TFR list. To fly in one, a pilot coordinates with the controlling agency named in it, and approval is the FAA’s decision. A restricted area can add time to a shoot, and some flights wait until a restriction lifts.

Local drone rules

State of Louisiana. Louisiana law gives the state exclusive jurisdiction over drones and preempts parish and city drone rules. A separate state law limits using a drone to photograph or surveil listed facilities such as refineries, chemical plants, critical infrastructure, and military installations without consent, with exceptions, so the pilot keeps the flight on the property being documented. In its words: “The state shall have exclusive jurisdiction to regulate all unmanned aircraft systems and all unmanned aerial systems.” legis.la.gov
Unincorporated Jefferson Parish. The parish's posted rules for Lafreniere Park in Metairie say no drones, model aircraft, or unmanned aircraft systems in the park, so a drone is not launched from there. We did not find a drone rule in the parish code. In its words: “No drones, rockets, model aircraft, or unmanned aircraft systems.” jeffparish.gov
Jean Lafitte and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Parks. The National Park Service bars launching, landing, or operating a drone on park land and water, including the Barataria Preserve and Chalmette Battlefield, except as approved in writing by the superintendent. In its words: “Launching, landing, or operating an uncrewed or remotely piloted aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.” nps.gov
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge in New Orleans East says flying unmanned aircraft on refuge property is illegal without a special permit. In its words: “It is illegal to operate unmanned aircraft on Refuge property without a special permit.” fws.gov
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lands. A Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rule bans flying drones on all lands the department administers, including Biloxi WMA in eastern St. Bernard Parish and Pass-a-Loutre WMA in Plaquemines Parish. In its words: “Operation of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is prohibited on department-administered lands including wildlife refuges and wildlife management and habitat conservation areas.” doa.la.gov
St. Bernard Parish. Parish code lists drones among items not allowed inside the fenced area of a parish dog park. We did not find any other parish drone rule. In its words: “Football, baseball, soccer, rugby and volleyballs, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, drones, strollers, or scooters.” library.municode.com

We did not find a local drone takeoff or landing rule on the official pages of the City of New Orleans and Plaquemines Parish. Check with the city or parish before launching from a park or beach. Pilots check local rules for takeoff and landing sites as well as FAA rules.

Roof permits and tarping

If it is safe, document the roof before the tarp goes on, then document the tarp once it is on. Before repairs, check what the building department requires.

City of New Orleans. The Department of Safety and Permits requires a separate residential re-roofing permit for roof replacement affecting 50 percent or more of the roof on one- and two-family homes, applied for online with inspections done by geotagged photos at four stages; smaller roofing work is exempt unless other criteria apply. Historic district properties need an extra review. City code lets emergency repairs start first if the application is filed by the next working business day. We did not find a storm permit notice. nola.gov
Unincorporated Jefferson Parish. The Department of Building Permits requires a re-roofing permit before replacing 50 percent or more of the roof covering on one- and two-family homes, applied for through MGO Connect, with geotagged photos of each phase in place of in-progress inspections and a final inspection. Homeowners doing their own work file a notarized affidavit. We did not find an Isaias permit notice. jeffparish.gov
St. Bernard Parish. Parish building code requires a re-roofing permit when the replaced roof covering on a one- or two-family home exceeds 50 percent of the roof, with geotagged photos or video uploaded to the parish permitting system. We did not find a storm permit notice. library.municode.com
Plaquemines Parish. The parish Permits office reviews permits for residential repairs through its online portal; we did not find a roof-specific rule on the parish site. The State Licensing Board for Contractors says a 2025 state law requires permitting and inspection of roof construction and re-roofing for projects beginning on or after August 1, 2025. lslbc.gov

Storm debris pickup

Once debris goes to the curb or is hauled off, the record of where it landed is gone. If it is safe to leave it, fly first, then move it.

City of New Orleans. Earlier guidance: after Hurricane Francine in September 2024, the city asked residents to put bagged debris and bundled branches next to their city trash cart on the regular collection day. We did not find an Isaias debris notice on NOLA Ready or nola.gov. ready.nola.gov
Unincorporated Jefferson Parish. We did not find an Isaias debris notice. Standing parish code: loose trash, yard waste, and construction debris are containerized, and bundles of bulky or yard waste are stacked or tied, no more than 4 feet long, 2 feet across, and 75 pounds each. library.municode.com
Plaquemines Parish. We did not find a storm debris page. Standing rules: debris goes at the curb a safe distance from utilities without blocking the road, yard debris in separate piles, and contractor construction, remodeling, or landscaping debris is hauled away by the contractor. plaqueminesparish.gov
St. Bernard Parish. We did not find a storm debris pickup page or an Isaias notice. The Public Works page lists two parish dump sites, in Chalmette and at the E.J. Gore Pump Station, open seven days a week. sbpg.net

What gets documented

The roof. Missing and creased shingles and lifted membrane, from straight overhead.
The exterior and site. Every side of the structure, plus fences, outbuildings, and detached structures.
Wind versus water. Water lines, high-water marks, flood extent, and where debris came to rest.
Trees and impact. A tree on a structure before removal, and downed trees across the yard, fences, and vehicles.
Emergency work. Tarps and board-up, documented once they are on.

The gallery comes as a permalink you can send to your adjuster and to every contractor you ask for a bid. Adjusters with many addresses in the New Orleans area can order CAT or volume dispatch.

Order a shoot →

How ordering works

Tell us what happened, the address, and a preferred date, online or at (214) 493-1515.
We review the job and send a quote. That review confirms whether and when a pilot can fly the property. Nothing is charged when you order.
An FAA Part 107 pilot flies the shot list when it is safe and allowed. Flights need safe weather, generally winds under 20 mph and no precipitation.
You get the gallery by link. The delivery timeline comes with the quote.

Housing and trailers in New Orleans

lossmap documents the property. If the home is not livable, our parent company covers temporary housing on your lot in New Orleans, including the local rules for an RV on residential property. Crews and families who need a travel trailer can see trailers for crews and families in New Orleans. For the statewide picture, see temporary housing in Louisiana.

Other Louisiana areas

Drone documentation in the Northshore · All Hurricane Isaias areas

What lossmap is not

lossmap provides aerial imagery and visual documentation. It is not a licensed roof inspection, an engineering report, or an insurance determination. Whether a carrier accepts the imagery is the carrier’s decision: see do insurers accept drone roof photos.

Sources

Official pages. Storm facts checked October 9, 2026, 10 PM CDT; local facts checked October 9, 2026.

Drone Damage Documentation in New Orleans After Hurricane Isaias