Significant Weather Events

Excessive Rainfall and Potential Tropical Cyclone in the South; Severe Thunderstorms in the Midwest

Excessive rainfall may produce locally considerable flash flooding over parts of the northwestern Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi River Valley, and Deep South through Thursday. Potential Tropical Cyclone One is forecast to become a tropical storm (Arthur) as it moves along or just off the northwestern Gulf coast through Wednesday. An outbreak of severe weather is forecast in the Midwest Wednesday. Read More >

May 1953 Flood

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

record

Calcasieu R.

Oakdale

22.62

5/19/53

record

Calcasieu R.

Oberlin

26.53

5/19/53

record

Calcasieu R.

Kinder

32.00

5/19/53

record

Calcasieu R.

Old Town Bay

16.10

5/21/53

record

Whisky Chitto C.

Mittie

32.80

5/18/53

record

B. Nezpique

Basile

34.39

5/20/53

record

B. Des Cannes

Eunice

22.36

5/20/53

record

B. Cocodrie

Clearwater

26.72

5/18/53

record

Mermentau R.

Mermentau

13.36

5/23/53

2nd

Sabine R.

Bon Weir

38.70

5/19/53

4th

Sabine R.

Deweyville

29.98

5/22/53

3rd

Neches R.

Town Bluff

82.85

5/21/53

3rd

Neches R.

Evadale

22.53

5/24/53

4th