Area Code Atlas

504 NPA Split, Creating 985 NPA (Louisiana)

Area code 985 split from 504

In 2001, area code 985 was created in a split from 504, taking over much of southeastern Louisiana, including some suburbs of New Orleans, to the west and north of New Orleans. Several downriver suburbs of New Orleans were also moved to 985 at this time.

504/985 Split - Extended Permissive Dialing for Wireless (Louisiana)

Communities switched back to area code 504 after Hurricane Katrina

In 2007, several communities in lower Plaquemines Parish that had been moved to area code 985 in 2001 were reassigned back to area code 504. This change followed the near-total destruction of local switching facilities due to flooding from Hurricane Katrina, and these communities began receiving service from New Orleans switching facilities.

Communities switched back to 504 from 985 after Hurricane Katrina

In 2007, communities southeast of New Orleans, including areas in lower Plaquemines Parish, were reassigned from area code 985 back to 504. This change was prompted by the destruction of local switching facilities due to Hurricane Katrina, necessitating the use of New Orleans-based infrastructure. Several downriver suburbs that had switched to area code 985 in 2001 were reassigned to 504 in 2007, with affected communities now served by switching facilities in New Orleans.

Louisiana 504/985 RCC and NPA Boundary Realignment

Permissive dialing period for 504 and 985 in reassigned areas

Permissive use of area code 504 alongside 985 began on July 29, 2007, allowing callers to reach the affected southeastern Louisiana communities using either code during the transition.

Mandatory use of area code 504 began for certain communities

Mandatory use of area code 504 began on May 1, 2008, for certain communities that had previously been served by 985. After this date, calls to these areas required dialing 504.

Mandatory use of area code 504 in reassigned areas

Mandatory use of area code 504 began on July 1, 2008, for the southeastern Louisiana communities that had been reassigned from 985, ending the permissive dialing period.