Hurricane Hilda was the third major hurricane to make landfall in the United States during the 1964 season.
Hilda developed in the western Caribbean Sea and grew stronger as it crossed the western tip of Cuba. Hilda reached Category 4 strength about 350 miles south of New Orleans on October 1. Two days later, Hurricane Hilda made landfall as a Category 3 storm in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Hilda's highest wind reported was an estimated 135 mph at Franklin, Louisiana. Almost a complete evacuation of the entire Louisiana coast accounted for the low death toll of 38. In fact, most of the fatalities were caused by tornadoes spawned by the storm as it approached the coast. One twister at Larose, Louisiana, killed 22 and injured 200 people. Three other tornadoes caused much damage in the New Orleans metropolitan area but no deaths.
Hurricane Hilda, October 3. 1964: developed in the western Caribbean Sea and reached storm intensity as it crossed the western tip of Cuba. Hilda reached maximum intensity about 350 miles south of New Orleans on October 1. On the morning of October 3rd, several tornadoes occurred in southeastern Louisiana in pre-hurricane squall lines. One tornado at Larose, LA, killed 22 and injured 200 people. Three other tornadoes caused much damage in the New Orleans metropolitan area but no deaths. Hurricane Hilda's highest wind reported was an estimated 135 mph at Franklin, LA.The lowest pressure was 28.05 inches (950 mb). Almost a complete evacuation of the entire Louisiana coast accounts for the low death toll of 38 including the tornado fatalities. |
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