Audrey, June 1957

In the early morning hours of June 27, 1957 — more than 12 hours earlier than expected — Hurricane Audrey, roared ashore in Cameron Parish, forever changing the lives of the people and the way weather is forecast across the nation. A Category Four storm, with winds measuring 150mph, it struck with monstrous 45 to 50-foot gulf waves peaking 20 feet above the immense storm surge. People awoke to find themselves trapped by ever-rising floodwaters.

By scrambling up trees faster than the water could rise and holding on for dear life, some — including entire families — survived. Some sought refuge on the tops of barns. In all, more than 550 lives died. Casualties were found as much as 25 miles away from where they were last seen. Others were never found, presumably washed out into the Gulf. Audrey damaged 100,000 buildings and destroyed several thousand.

The Cameron Parish Courthouse survived the storm offering shelter to those who could reach it. Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church erected a monument directly in the storm's path. Its brief and poignant message: "Do not harm my children."

Each year, Cameron residents, both survivors and descendants of survivors, observe the storm's anniversary still measuring time as before and after Hurricane Audrey.

How Hurricane Audrey Changed Weather Forecasting
Prior to Audrey’s landfall, National Weather Service information was available that could have mitigated this disaster. But as was the custom at the time, the local forecaster used his prediction that the storm wouldn’t make landfall until late the next day. Today, because of Hurricane Audrey, local channels must now broadcast the NWS info — not their own projections.

Rita, September 2005
On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita blasted ashore, a Category 3 Hurricane with 120 mph winds. Rita’s ferocious northeast eyewall passed directly over Cameron Parish, devastating all in its path. The communities of Hackberry, Cameron, Creole, Grand Chenier, Holly Beach, and Johnson Bayou were heavily damaged or entirely destroyed. Lake Charles experienced severe flooding with water rising 6-8 feet in areas around the lake itself. Damage along the Creole Nature Trail was extensive, including the total destruction of the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and 80% of the homes in southern Cameron Parish.

Ike, September 2008
On September 13, 2008, just three short years after Rita’s devastating blow to Southwest Louisiana, Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston, Texas, a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. The dangerous Northeast quadrant of this large, powerful, slow-moving storm inundated Cameron Parish with intense rain and a major storm surge.  Flooding engulfed most of the parish coastline with floodwaters reaching as far north as Lake Charles. Hundreds of people had to be rescued with coordinated efforts by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Search and Rescue teams working with the Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.