Tropical Storm — Vermilion, Louisiana

1998-09-09 to 1998-09-11 · Vermilion, Louisiana

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Frances was the third tropical system to affect southwest Louisiana in three weeks, and was by far the worst. Tides at Cameron were the highest since Hurricane Carla in 1961. Tornadoes and severe flooding were the 2 main weather disasters.In Cameron Parish, Highway 82 was closed between Holly Beach and Constance Beach for 3 days due to high water. Sections of 82 between Holly Beach and Cameron, and around the Grand Chenier area were also closed. At Constance Beach, ten camps were heavily damaged, three of which were completely washed away. At Holly Beach, 2 feet of sand piled up along the coast. In Cameron, nearly every home and business on Main Street had water enter them. In Hackberry and Grand Lake, many homes were flooded due to high water from the Calcasieu River and excessive rain. Total damages in Cameron Parish was in excesss of 10 million dollars.In Calcasieu Parish, flooding from the Calcasieu River caused over 20 homes in the Deatonville area to report water in them. Several boat houses and camps along the lake in Lake Charles were also damaged. Significant flooding was also reported in the Carlyss area, and south of the Lake Charles Regional Airport.In Jeff Davis Parish, the worst flooding occurred in Jennings, Lake Arthur and Welsh. A tornado also did damage west of Lake Arthur.In Vermilion Parish, the same area that flooded in Hurricane Audrey in 1957 was flooded again. The worst hit areas were Pecan Island, Forked Island, and Intracoastal City, where many homes and businesses had water enter them. Over ten inches of rain compounded the problems.In Acadia and Evangeline Parishes, two tornadoes caused extensive damage due to hitting two schools. Flooding was also reported across southern sections of Acadia Parish, along Bayou Queue de Tortue.In Lafayette Parish, two tornadoes caused damages to mobile homes. In Iberia Parish, the town of Delcambre received extensive damage from flooding of the Delcambre Canal, which empties into the Gulf. Water levels in the canal reached the bottom of the bridge over Highway 14. Seven to nine roads were closed due to high water.In St. Mary Parish, Burns Point and Cypremort Point recorded flooding that caused some damage to homes and businesses. Water was as deep as 3 to 4 feet deep in places. This caused several road closures.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5667887. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.