To say New Orleans has a history of storms and flooding would be a huge understatement. Due to its location on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the city is subject to hurricanes and tropical storms often. Hurricanes pose a particularly severe threat to New Orleans because of its incredibly low elevation, Louisiana’s sinking coast line and the surrounding water from the north, east, and south. These factors all contribute to how badly the city can be affected when hit by a heavy storm or hurricane.
If there is a storm or hurricane warning, the usual advice is to shelter in place. Unplug electrical items, stay away from windows and, depending on severity, take stock of what food and clean water you have access to. Ultimately, you should keep up to date with the local emergency news and follow their advice. As the weather changes, new information may come up so pay attention.
If you are told to evacuate, then do so immediately.