Tropical Storm — East Feliciana, Louisiana

2020-10-09 · East Feliciana, Louisiana

Event narrative

Delta produced sustained tropical storm force winds with peak gusts estimated in

the 50 to 60 mph range resulting in minor to moderate wind damage

across the parish. Numerous trees were downed and around 80 percent

of the parish was without power at the peak.

Wider weather episode

Delta first developed into a tropical depression in the Caribbean just south of Jamaica on the afternoon of October 4th. As it tracked across the western Caribbean, it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane. In fact, intensifying from tropical depression to Category strength in 40 hours is the fastest rate of intensification of any storm on record in the Atlantic Basin. Delta quickly weakened to a category 1 hurricane after making its first landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula. It gradually recurved north towards the Louisiana coastline, fluctuating in intensity between Category 2 and 3. Hurricane Delta ultimately arrived with an intensity of 105 mph, a strong category 2 storm. Local impacts include 50 to 70 MPH wind gusts across the area, storm surge of 2 to 3 feet above ground and widespread tree and structural damage. There were 6 injuries. In addition, outer bands of Delta produced a significant amount of rainfall on the north side of Baton Rouge Metro. Upwards of 5 to 10 inches of rain fell, causing street flooding in Baton Rouge and moderate river flooding in the region. Delta caused approximately $100 million worth of damage across southeast Louisiana.

It made landfall around 5 pm east of Cameron LA or about 15 miles east of where Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall just a couple of months earlier this year. Delta became the 4th named storm to make landfall in Louisiana this hurricane season.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 924993. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.