Hurricane (Typhoon) — Iberia, Louisiana

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

Event narrative

Wind gusts of 75 to 85 mph and heavy rainfall lead to numerous downed trees and power lines across the parish. KARA reported a peak sustained wind of 53 mph with a peak gust of 86 mph. A natural gas leak caused by Delta produced a fire after a homeowner lit a cigarette. The female resident died in the fire while the male succumbed days later in the hospital.

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 925936. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.