Storm Surge/Tide — Lower Jefferson, Louisiana

2020-10-10 · Lower Jefferson, Louisiana

Event narrative

Delta produced minor storm surge flooding from Grand Isle to the northern end of Barataria bay. The Grand Isle tide gauge recorded a peak of 1.93 ft MHHW. The Barataria Bay tide gauge recorded a peak of 3.78 NAVD88.

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 925000. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.