Empire, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Empire, Plaquemines County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Empire?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 34 days in the Lower Plaquemines forecast zone and Plaquemines County — the most common reported hazard around Empire, mostly in April and June. Next come flash flooding (7 days) and storm surge (2 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 34 | May 2026 | Mar 29, 2011 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Mar 2011 | Jun 30, 2003 · $130,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 2 | Sep 1998 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2020 | Aug 20, 2020 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 1 | Jul 1997 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Lower Plaquemines forecast zone and Plaquemines County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Empire?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLIX (New Orleans, LA), about 63 miles north-northwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Empire | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLIX New Orleans, LA | 63 mi north-northwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 88 mi north-northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMOB Mobile, AL | 118 mi northeast | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Empire
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Empire, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and November. The strongest was an F2 on October 30, 1967, which touched down about 13 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on March 4, 2025, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 9 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on January 22, 1956.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Empire's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Empire radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Empire, LA?
KLIX (New Orleans, LA), about 63 miles north-northwest. KHDC (Hammond, LA) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Empire?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Empire the lowest scan from KLIX is about 4,900 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Empire free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Empire, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jean Lafitte, LA radar 36 mi
- Golden Meadow, LA radar 40 mi
- Gretna, LA radar 42 mi
- Westwego, LA radar 45 mi
- New Orleans, LA radar 46 mi
- Harahan, LA radar 49 mi
- Kenner, LA radar 55 mi
- Lockport, LA radar 57 mi
- Slidell, LA radar 59 mi