Through meteorology, we know essentially how hurricanes form, even thought we can’t say where the next storm will arise. – Eric Maskin, American economist (1950- )
And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through…you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm is all about. – Haruki Murakami, Japanese writer (1949- )
Last Thursday we stayed home, watched the weatherman, filled jugs of water in case we needed water, checked flashlights, and hoped we could rely on the generator if need be. Fortunately, we fared well watching the rain, trees dancing, and leaves falling. Wilhelmina spent her time under the couch. When the rain subsided, Sam took to gathering fallen limbs. It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a hurricane watch. I looked up hurricanes I remember and some I didn’t that had impacted the Gulf coastal areas. Here’s a bit:
1935 Labor Day Hurricane hit Mid-Florida in early September. For decades it was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record in terms of barometric pressure until Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. From 1941-1950, 24 hurricanes made landfall with 10 being a category 3 or above. In 1957 hurricane Audrey was a category 4 making landfall at Johnsons Bayou in Louisiana. It was the 7th deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S.
In 1965 Hurricane Betsy made landfall near Grand Isle Louisiana as a category 4. It was the first hurricane causing more than $1 billion in damage. In 1969 Camille was the most intense hurricane recorded in the U.S. with a category 5, winds were up to 175-200 mph. The winds were so strong the wind-recording devices were knocked out.
Hurricane Andrew visited in 1992 category 5 impacting Louisiana with gusts up to 120 mph and rainfall of 11.92 inches. In 2005 Hurricane Rita entered with winds of 170mph, a category 5, 4th most powerful storm ever measured arrived at Cameron Parish in Southwest Louisiana.
2005 brought Katrina making landfall less than a month after Rita. Category 5, 160mph causing failure of levees and storm surge. The damage was estimated at $125 billion, likely the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. In 2008 Hurricanes Gustav and Ike arrived 12 days apart producing 41 tornadoes with 21 in Mississippi. In 2012 Hurricane Isaac caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards for 24 hours with storm surge up to 12 feet. 2017 Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a category 4 near Rockport, Texas, bringing forceful winds and rain.
Four days later circled the gulf and hit Louisiana. 2018 Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle at 155 mph winds and 9-14 storm surge over 30 miles of coastline.
In 2020 Hurricanes Laura and Delta were six weeks apart, both category 4 with winds between 140-150 mph near Cameron Louisiana with 10 feet high storm surge.
Now 2024 Hurricane Francine, there will probably be more information by the time you read this but as of now it’s reported heavy rains, downed now to a tropical depression, category 2 storm, powerful winds, deadly storm surge, and potential flooding over Louisiana and Mississippi. August, September, to November are usually the peak time of the year for hurricanes. Be alert, be prepared, say your prayers.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
