Spotlight on History
Hurricanes
As we enter the heart of hurricane season, the LDMA is highlighting Louisiana’s hurricane history throughout the month of August. You can take a look at rarely seen footage of the aftermath of Hurricanes Audrey, Betsy, and Camille, explore in-depth stories on the hurricanes that have shaped the 21st century in Louisiana, and learn more about the evolution of hurricane forecasting.
Hurricane Audrey (1957)
See Brooks Read, the Esso reporter for WBRZ in Baton Rouge, sharing the first known footage of the damage caused by Hurricane Audrey in Cameron Parish.
Hurricane Betsy (1965)
Watch KLFY-TV coverage of the tree damage along Highway 190 in Opelousas following Hurricane Betsy.
Hurricane Camille (1969)
View silent WWL-TV footage before, during, and after Hurricane Camille in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. See more Hurricane Camille stories here.
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
See an in-depth Louisiana: The State We’re In report on the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. See more Hurricane Katrina stories here.
Hurricane Rita (2005)
Watch a 2006 Louisiana Public Square episode on the impact of Hurricane Rita in southwest Louisiana and the ongoing recovery efforts. See more Hurricane Rita stories here.
Hurricane Gustav (2008)
View a special Louisiana: The State We’re In report on the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav throughout south Louisiana. See more Hurricane Gustav stories here.
Hurricane Ike (2008)
In this interview from Louisiana: The State We’re In, see Father Joseph McGrath discuss the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike in Cameron Parish. See more Hurricane Ike stories here.
Hurricane Isaac (2012)
Watch a Louisiana: The State We’re In report on the Hurricane Isaac recovery efforts in Laplace and Plaquemines Parish. See more Hurricane Isaac stories here.
Hurricane Forecasting (2018)
In this interview from Louisiana: The State We’re In, see state climatologist Barry Keim discuss the impact of the telegraph, airplanes, and satellites on hurricane forecasting.
Last Island Hurricane (2018)
View a Louisiana: The State We’re In report on the Last Island Hurricane of 1856, a Category 4 storm that hit Isle Derniere off the coast of Terrebonne Parish.