Calcasieu Parish - What Happened

Hurricane Rita hurricane made landfall on Sept. 24, 2005 between Sabine Pass, Texas, and Johnson’s Bayou, La., with winds of 120 mph. 

The storm surge at landfall reached 15 feet, flooding coastal towns across the Texas/Louisiana border region. The storm surge and high winds swept through Cameron Parish, destroying most of the coastal structures and above-ground infrastructure, and continued northward into Calcasieu Parish.  Rain fell for more than 48 hours and totaled approximately 11 inches.  Flooding from the rain and storm surge in Calcasieu Parish was extensive, especially in the southern portion of the parish.  Lake Charles experienced severe flooding, with reports of water rising six to eight feet in areas around the lake.  Most of the parish population followed an evacuation order issued on Sept. 22 by parish officials. No casualties were reported in Calcasieu. 

High winds, rain, tornados and flooding generated by Hurricane Rita caused extensive damage throughout Calcasieu Parish.  The extent and cost of this damage is still being assessed even as the community rebuilds.