Significant Weather Events

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	12	18	record
Calcasieu R.	Oakdale	22.62	5/19/53	12	22	record
Calcasieu R.	Oberlin	26.53	5/19/53	13	19	record
Calcasieu R.	Kinder	32.00	5/19/53	16	23	record
Calcasieu R.	Old Town Bay	16.10	5/21/53	4	8	record
Whisky Chitto C.	Mittie	32.80	5/18/53	15	23	record
B. Nezpique	Basile	34.39	5/20/53	22	28	record
B. Des Cannes	Eunice	22.36	5/20/53	16	21	record
B. Cocodrie	Clearwater	26.72	5/18/53	19	23	record
Mermentau R.	Mermentau	13.36	5/23/53	4	8	2nd
Sabine R.	Bon Weir	38.70	5/19/53	30	36	4th
Sabine R.	Deweyville	29.98	5/22/53	24	28	3rd
Neches R.	Town Bluff	82.85	5/21/53	68	82	3rd
Neches R.	Evadale	22.53	5/24/53	17	24	4th