A series of rain events produced widespread heavy rainfall across the region with the highest amounts of 14 to 25 inches noted across Central Louisiana. This occurred on top of what was already a wet year. The result was the worst flooding on record at several of the gauging stations in Southwest and Central Louisiana.
Historical crests on area rivers
courtesy NWS AHPS
Flood State (ft) | ||||||
Body of water | Location | Crest (ft) | Date | Minor | Major | All-time |
Calcasieu R. | Glenmora | 21.55 | 5/19/53 | 12 | 18 | record |
Calcasieu R. | Oakdale | 22.62 | 5/19/53 | 12 | 22 | record |
Calcasieu R. | Oberlin | 26.53 | 5/19/53 | 13 | 19 | record |
Calcasieu R. | Kinder | 32.00 | 5/19/53 | 16 | 23 | record |
Calcasieu R. | Old Town Bay | 16.10 | 5/21/53 | 4 | 8 | record |
Whisky Chitto C. | Mittie | 32.80 | 5/18/53 | 15 | 23 | record |
B. Nezpique | Basile | 34.39 | 5/20/53 | 22 | 28 | record |
B. Des Cannes | Eunice | 22.36 | 5/20/53 | 16 | 21 | record |
B. Cocodrie | Clearwater | 26.72 | 5/18/53 | 19 | 23 | record |
Mermentau R. | Mermentau | 13.36 | 5/23/53 | 4 | 8 | 2nd |
Sabine R. | Bon Weir | 38.70 | 5/19/53 | 30 | 36 | 4th |
Sabine R. | Deweyville | 29.98 | 5/22/53 | 24 | 28 | 3rd |
Neches R. | Town Bluff | 82.85 | 5/21/53 | 68 | 82 | 3rd |
Neches R. | Evadale | 22.53 | 5/24/53 | 17 | 24 | 4th |