Hurricane Audrey stormed ashore from the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Louisianaon June 27, 1957, with deadly, destructive effect.Audrey left its heavy mark on history, as the strongest hurricane ever in theAtlantic Ocean basin during the month of June.
Rapid strengthening in the last six hours culminated, according to the NationalHurricane Center (NHC), in Category 4 status at the time of Audrey`s landfallbetween Sabine Pass, Texas and Cameron, La. No storm in June since Audrey hasgained Category 4 status.
In low-lying southwestern Louisiana, Audrey's storm surge of 8 to 12 feetreached as far as 25 miles inland. Most of the deaths, at least 390 andpossibly over 500, were caused by this surge, say the NHC.
Winds near 100 mph blasted Lake Charles, La. At Port Arthur, Texas andLafayette, La., top gusts were near 85 mph. A wind gauge at KPLC weatherstation in Lake Charles is said to have reached 180 mph before breaking,according to Wikipedia.
Audrey's name was retired in memory to its heavy toll on life and property.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews
