Tropical Storm — Rapides, Louisiana

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

Event narrative

Wind gusts to around 65 mph and heavy rainfall lead to numerous downed trees and power lines across the parish. Flooding was caused by 10 to 20 inches of rainfall. A wind gust of 63 mph was recorded at KAEX. Major flooding occurred along the Calcasieu River along Bayou Cocodrie. One drowning was reported and 50 high water rescues were conducted.

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 925854. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.