National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in the Mid-South; Heat Continues in the Southeast and Southwest

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected across portions of the mid-Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley and portions of Arizona. Dangerous heat persists in the South and Southeast while building into the Southwest. Overnight lows will be so warm that, when combined with oppressive dew points, little-to-no relief from the scorching daytime highs will be available. Read More >

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Hurricane Rita:
A Comparison of Winds and Storm Surge

 

SW Louisiana Tide & Wind data graphic for Rita
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SW Louisiana reference map for Rita data
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The Southwest Louisiana graphic shows the chronology of storm surge and surface winds as depicted by surface observations and river levels. Northeast winds prevailed before landfall with widespread tropical storm force winds (39 -73 mph) beginning mid afternoon Friday, September 23rd. At this time, strong northerly winds resulted in gradually falling river levels. About 6 PM, hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater)  began pounding the immediate coastline and continued through the night. Storm surge waters reached the tide gage at the mouth of the Calcasieu River around 7 PM with a steady increase until the gage failed around midnight. The rest of the inland river gages began rising after midnight and continued until early afternoon on Saturday. Storm surge waters 10-15 feet MSL impacted the Southwest Louisiana coastline. Actual flood levels can be obtained by subtracting property elevations above sea level.