Hurricane (Typhoon) — Calcasieu, Louisiana

2020-10-09 to 2020-10-10 · Calcasieu, Louisiana

Event narrative

Heavy rain and high winds affected Calcasieu Parish as Delta moved across the region. Debris from Hurricane Laura slowed runoff from the 10 to 18 inches of rainfall causing flooding. White Oak Park experienced the 5th highest river reading on record. Many structures also had temporary roofs or tarps that were removed during the hurricane from the near 100 mph wind gusts causing more damage. Power was also knocked back out for most of the parish.

Wider weather episode

A tropical wave moved into the Caribbean in early October and became a tropical depression by the 5th. The system quickly gained strength and obtained category 4 status before shear weakened it back to a category 2. The hurricane weakened farther while over the Yucatan Peninsula, however after moving into the southern gulf and toward Louisiana it again obtained category 2 status. Delta made land fall on the 9th near where Hurricane Laura did just 6 weeks prior. Wind gusts around 100 mph, rainfall amounts of near 18 inches, and a storm surge of 5 to 10 feet was recorded with the hurricane as it worked inland.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 925830. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.