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.
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.
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
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.
Source : AZ Animals
