1964 — Oct 3-4, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilda/Tornadoes, LA, MS, SE Coast — 42

 

— 42  Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.

— 39  Roth, David (NWS). Louisiana Hurricane History: Late 20th Century. 6-4-2003, p. 40.[1]

— 38  Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, p. 205.

— 38  Dunn, et al. “The Hurricane Season of 1964.” Monthly Weather Review, March 1965, 177.

— 38  Hebert/Jarrell/Mayfield. The Deadliest, Costliest…[US] Hurricanes… Feb 1993, p. 80.

— 38  NOAA. Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation. “Event History. Tropical Events-1960s.”

— 38  Rappaport and Partagas. The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1994. 1995.

 

Florida:                      (  1)

— 1  Pensacola vicinity, Oct 4. Drowning in surf.[2]

 

Louisiana:                  (39)

–39  Blanchard tally based on Parish and/or cause of death breakouts below.

–37  Amer. Red Cross estimate for southern LA, Oct 1-4, cited in Storm Data, 6/10, 1964, p107.

–37  Dunn, et al. “The Hurricane Season of 1964.” Monthly Weather Review, March 1965, 177.

–37  Hodges and White (NHC). Preliminary Report on Hurricane “Hilda” Sep 26-Oct 5, p. 5.

–37  Lake Charles American Press, LA. “In Lafayette. Officials to Meet on Hilda.” 10-6-64, 1.

–37  UPI. “Hurricane Hilda Wilts Into History After Death March.” News Texan, Arlington. 10-5-64, 2.[3]

–37  Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964, p. 107.[4]

–36  Lake Charles American Press, LA. “Hurricane Hilda Death Toll at 36.” 10-5-1964, p. 1.

–15  Non-tornado deaths, including eight from water tower fall in Erath.[5]

Parish and/or Cause of Death Breakouts:

—  2  Iberia Parish.

–1  Jeanerette. Collapse; recreation center used as shelter, African-American female.[6]

–1  New Iberia. Drowning; unidentified African-American male.[7]

–24  Lafourche Parish, LaRose/Larose, Oct 3. F4 Tornado. (Paul Chiquet list.)

–26  Clarion Herald. “Hilda in 64 – Betsy in 65.” 9-23-1965.[8]

–24  Roth (NWS). Louisiana Hurricane History: Late 20th Century. June 4, 2003, p.40.

–22  Lafourche Parish, LaRose/Larose, Oct 3, 6:30. F4 Tornado, 165 injured.[9]

Paul Chiquet listing of fatalities (2014)

  1. Noles Joseph Arceneaux, born Apr 9, 1904, died Oct 3, 1964.
  2. Noles Arceneaux (Bertha Barrios), born Oct 29 1901, died Oct 3, 1964.
  3. Louis J Arceneaux – grandson, born Aug 2, 1939, died Oct 3, 1964.
  4. Louis Arceneaux (Audrey Mae Danos), — born Mar 28, 1943, died Oct 3, 1964.
  5. Lynette Arceneaux (daughter of Louis and Audrey), born Jun 7, 1962 died Oct 3 1964
  6. Eve Arceneaux Lebouef, wife of Alexander LeBouef, born 1917, died Oct 7, 1964.
  7. Alphonsene Frances Lafont, wife of Camille Cheramie, born 1921, died 1964.
  8. A. J. Champagne.
  9. Two small sons of Tilliman Gros and Beatrice Callais – Micheal and Randy Gros.
  10. Felix Gros — Tillman Gros’s father, born 1904, died 1964.
  11. Abel Richardel
  12. Alexison Orgeron, born Apr 21, 1918, died Oct 3, 1964.
  13. One of two Black children across the bayou on hwy. 308.
  14. One of two Black children across the bayou on hwy. 308.
  15. One middle age woman who could not be identified.
  16. Josephine Gros Chiasson – Mrs. Felix Chiasson.
  17. Felix Chiasson.
  18. Lucie Josephine Chiasson Arceneaux.
  19. Serville Chiasson.
  20. Gertrude Champagne – Mrs. Wilson Champagne.
  21. Hilred Guidry Leblanc – Mrs. Bobby LeBlanc.
  22. David LeBlanc — Bobby and Hilred Guidry LeBlanc’s son.
  23. Ursula Guidroz — Genevieve Guidroz’s sister.
  24. Genevieve Guidroz — Ursula Guidroz’s sister.

—  1  Orleans Parish, New Orleans, Oct 4. Electrocution; utility repairman working on downed lines.[10]

—  8  Vermilion Parish, Erath, Oct 3. 125 ft. water tower, 40,000 gallons, falls onto City Hall.[11]

–1  Rane Scott Joseph “Scotty” Bernard, 19, radio operator.

–1  Otto Bourque, 53, Erath High School patrolman.

–1  Felix Dubois, 53.

–1  Clifton J. Dugas, 33.

–2  Brothers Vernice (20) and Duffy (28) Broussard.

–1  Joseph Camile Brown, 50, former deputy sheriff, city councilman and mayor pro tem

–1  Eustis Menard, 53.

—  1  Parish not identified. “…a woman drowned in a rain-swollen drainage ditch.”[12]

—  3  Parish not identified. Traffic deaths attributed to Hilda’s winds and accompanying rain.[13]

 

North Carolina:         (  1)

–2  Sep 29-Oct 5. Two motorists drowned in separate incidents; vehicles swept from roads.[14]

–1  Dunn, et al. “The Hurricane Season of 1964.” Monthly Weather Review, March 1965, 178.

–1  Drowned; “…motorist…car was swept into deep water when he drove on a flooded road.”[15]

 

South Carolina:         (  1)

— 1  Landslide triggered by flooding.[16]

 

Causes of Death — 42

Drownings:                            (  4)

–1  FL. Pensacola vicinity, Oct 4. Drowning in surf (probably surfboarder Bill Waters, 17).

–1  LA, Iberia Parish, New Iberia. Drowning; unidentified African-American male.

–1  LA. Parish not identified. “…a woman drowned in a rain-swollen drainage ditch.”

–1  NC. Drowned; motorist; car swept into deep water when he drove on a flooded road.

 

Electrocution:                        (  1)

–1  LA. Orleans Parish, New Orleans. Electrocution; utility repairman working on downed lines.

 

Landslide:                              (  1)

— 1  SC. Landslide triggered by flooding.

 

Tornado:                                (24)

–24  Lafourche Parish, LaRose (or Larose), Oct 3, F4 Tornado, 165 injured.

 

Traffic Accidents:                 (  3)

—  3  LA. Parish not noted. Traffic deaths attributed to Hilda’s winds and accompanying rain.

 

Wind/Structural Collapse:   (  9)

–1  LA. Iberia Parish, Jeanerette. Recreation center used as shelter, African-American female.

–8  Vermilion Parish, Erath, Oct 3. 125 ft. water tower, 40,000 gallons, falls onto City Hall.

 

Narrative Information

 

Dunn: “Hurricane Hilda, September 28-October 5. – Hilda developed in an easterly wave which was moving slowly westward through the western Caribbean Sea. On the morning of September 28, a weak cyclonic circulation formed just off the southern coast of central Cuba. The circulation became organized and gradually intensified as it moved slowly westward. It reached storm intensity as it crossed the western tip of Cuba near Cape San Antonio.

 

“Hilda moved west-northwestward at an average speed of 9 m.p.h. for 48 hr., and intensified steadily while in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The storm reached hurricane force early on September 30 and reached maximum intensity about 350 mi. south of New Orleans on October 1. The minimum computed sea level pressure from reconnaissance aircraft at that time was 941 mb. (27.79 in.), and winds were estimated at 150 m.p.h. A severe hurricane by this time, Hilda turned gradually northward on October 1. It moved northward at an average speed of 6 m.p.h. for the next two days and crossed the central Louisiana coast about dark on October 3. Some decrease in intensity had occurred on October 2 but Hilda was still a severe hurricane when it reached the coast.

 

“As pre-hurricane squall lines moved into southeastern Louisiana during the morning of the 3rd, several tornadoes occurred. In one at Larose, La., 22 persons were killed and 200 injured. Three tornadoes in the New Orleans metropolitan area caused much damage but no deaths.

 

“After the eye moved inland the storm gradually weakened and moved north-northeastward toward Baton Rouge. When the center approached the Baton Rouge area, the storm was forced eastward as cold air and associated strong pressure rises moved into the circulation from the northwest. Soon after the eastward turn, the winds decreased to less than hurricane force. Hilda continued to weaken as cold air moved rapidly into its circulation, and the storm became extratropical over extreme southern Mississippi. The Low continued eastward and moved into the Atlantic Ocean near Jacksonville, Fla. The rapid advance of cold air into the storm was manifested by abrupt wind shifts to the north and increased speeds. This sharp increase in northerly winds across Lake Pontchartrain caused large waves to break and spill over the seawall along the New Orleans lake front. Flooding occurred between the seawall and the back levee. The high waves on the lake caused considerable damage to fishing camps and some business establishments which were built out over the water and on the lake shore. To the east of New Orleans, the strongest winds in most areas occurred after the cold front had passed rather than in the southerly flow ahead of the Low.

 

“Data are scarce from the hard-hit areas of south-central Louisiana. The highest wind reported was an estimated 135 m.p.h. at Franklin, La….The highest tide reported was an unofficial estimate of 10 ft. near Point-au-Fer. Tides were 2 to 6 ft. above m.s.l. from the mouth of the Mississippi River eastward to Apalachicola, Fla., and 2 to 5 ft. above m.s.l on the extreme western Louisiana and upper Texas coasts.

 

“Rainfall was excessive over most of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Amounts in excess of 10 in. occurred over much of that area and considerable flooding resulted.  The greatest rainfall accumulation in Louisiana was 17.71 in. at Jeanerette Experiment Farm, with 16.01 in the 25 ½ hr. ending at 0900 CST October 4. In Mississippi the largest storm total reported was 12.57 in. at McComb FAA. On the 4th, 10.98 in. fell there, an all-time Mississippi October 24-hr. rainfall…

 

“In Louisiana 37 lives were lost, primarily in tornadoes. Excluding the tornadoes, the hurricane death toll was less than 10 persons. Most of the non-tornado deaths occurred at Erath, La., when a large water tower fell on the City Hall where Civil Defense activities were being directed. Almost complete evacuation of the entire Louisiana coastal area accounts for this low death toll. Civil Defense records indicate that more than 150,000 persons evacuated the low-lying coastal areas and moved to higher ground.

 

“Damages to property, crops, and industries were extremely heavy. A preliminary estimate of damage is about $100 million, with the greater part of the monetary loss borne by the oil companies and sugar cane producers.

 

“Hilda had little direct effect on North Carolina. However, the extremely heavy rains and severe local storms which occurred in a 24- to 36-hr. period centered around October 4 may be attributed, at least in part, to Hilda, which moved into the mainstream of upper-level winds which had been flowing from the Gulf of Mexico up over the Atlantic Seaboard States for several days. The situation was brought to a climax when a cold front approaching the Appalachians from the northwest was drawn into the circulation of the dying tropical cyclone. Rains of 5 to 15 in. fell in the southern mountains of North Carolina in 24 to 30 hr., very nearly duplicating rains that had fallen there 5 days before. Flooding on rivers and streams of the area was among the most severe in history and damage was heavy. Rainfall was also heavy in eastern North Carolina, where an estimated 4,000 persons had to leave their homes because of floodwaters. There was one death in the State from the storm.

 

“Tornado activity occurred in two areas in eastern North Carolina between 1600 and 2000 EST October 4. One path ran from near Williamston, Martin County, about 1600 EST, to Cherry, and ended near Sandy Point, Tyrrell County. The second began near Fair Bluff, Columbus County at 1815 EST, continued to near Clarkton, and ended near Penderlea, Pender County. The tracks were not continuous, damage indicating a skipping tornado or tornadoes.” (Dunn, et al. “The Hurricane Season of 1964.” Monthly Weather Review, March 1965, 184-185.)

 

Roth: “Hurricane Hilda caused severe coastal erosion and local flooding, along with 39 associated deaths as it hit Salt Point. Tornadoes were spawned at Golden Meadow, Galliano, Larose, Kenner, Metarie, and New Orleans. The Larose Tornado alone caused 24 of the deaths and a staggering 345 injuries. A large water tower collapsing on the Erath City Hall killed around 10 people.[17]

 

“Franklin reported a pressure of 28.40″ and winds estimated at 135 mph. Winds of hurricane force spread across much of Southeast Louisiana. Over 10″ of rain fell across Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. Jeanerette saw 17.71″ of rain. The Gulf invaded Cocodrie up to a depth of 7.8 feet. Offshore, the Oil Driller, 100 miles south of Morgan City, had their anemometer pegged at 120 mph throughout the night of the 2nd/3rd. Waves over 50 feet high lashed the rig for hours. Damage totaled $53 million.”  (Roth, LA Hurricane Hist., 4 June 2003)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, Tallahassee, FL. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-1964, p. 1. Accessed 10-31-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=96429219&sterm=hurricane+hilda+death

 

Bodin, Stacy (Erath’s 100th Anniversary Centennial Historian, 1999). “In the Wake of Tragedy: The Collapse of the Erath Water Tower.” 8-16-2014 modification. Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/vpkids/vp/Erath/erathhistory/HurricaneHilda/WakeofTragedy.htm

 

Burt, Christopher C. and Mark Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. W. W. Norton & Co., 2004, 304 pages.  Google preview accessed 1-1-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=NuP7ATq9nWgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Chiquet, Paul (Librarian, South Lafourche Parish Library). Listing of 23 Larose Fatalities from Tornado of Oct 3, 1964. Attachment to email to Wayne Blanchard, 11-5-2014.

 

Daily Star, Hammond, LA. “Line Repairman is Electrocuted.” 10-5-1964, p. 1. Accessed 11-5-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=199998600&sterm=

 

Daquaro, Tyana. “Residents in Lafourche Parish remember F-4 tornado of 1964.” WAFB 90. 5-21-2013. Accessed 10-31-2014 at: http://www.wafb.com/story/22379083/r

 

Dunn, Gordon E. and staff (U.S. Weather Bureau Office, Miami). “The Hurricane Season of 1964.” Monthly Weather Review, Vol. 93, No. 3, March 1965, pp. 175-187. Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1964.pdf

 

Grazulis, Thomas P.  Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995.  St. Johnsbury, VE:  The Tornado Project of Environmental Films, January 1997, 128 pages.

 

Hardy, Albert V. (NC Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Raleigh, NC). “Hurricane Hilda (North Carolina).” 10-6-1964, p. 2. Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1964/hilda/preloc/rdu1014b.gif

 

Hebert, Paul J., J.D. Jarrell, Max Mayfield. The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Hurricanes of This Century (NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS-NHC-31). Miami, FL:  National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Feb 1993, 41 pages.

 

Hodges, Luther H. and Robert M. White. Preliminary Report on Hurricane “Hilda” September 26-October 5, 1964. Miami, FL: National Hurricane Center, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1964/hilda/prenhc/prelim01.gif

 

Lake Charles American Press, LA. “Hurricane Hilda Death Toll at 36.” 10-5-1964, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116891334&sterm=hurricane+hilda

 

Lake Charles American Press, LA. “In Lafayette. Officials to Meet on Hilda.” 10-6-1964, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116891345&sterm=hurricane+hilda+death

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation (webpage). “Event History. Tropical Events-1960s.” Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.stormsurge.noaa.gov/event_history_1960s.html

 

Rappaport, Edward N. and Jose Fernandez-Partagas. The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492-1994 (NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-47). Coral Gables, FL: National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, January 1995, 42 pages. Accessed at:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/NWS-NHC-1995-47.pdf

 

Roth, David. Louisiana Hurricane History: Late 20th Century. Lake Charles, LA: National Weather Service Forecast Office Lake Charles, LA, NOAA, 6-4-2003 modification.  Accessed at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lalate20hur.php

 

United Press International, Baton Rouge, LA. “Louisiana Prepares to Rebuild.” Tonawanda News, NY. 10-6-1964, p. 1. Accessed 10-31-2014 at: http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201964%20%20Grayscale/North%20Tonawanda%20NY%20Evening%20News%201964%20%20Grayscale%20-%204907.pdf

 

United Press International (Alvin B. Webb Jr., New Orleans). “Profile: Hurricane Hilda Wilts Into History After Death March.” News Texan, Arlington. 10-5-1964, 2. Accessed 10-31-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=244674859&sterm=hurricane+hilda

 

Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964. U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 10-30-2014 at: http://www.webcitation.org/6QBg3G5tk

 

 

[1] Gives the impression that all 39 deaths were in Louisiana, but this is not crystal clear.

[2] Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964, p. 106. Probably a reference to Bill Waters, 17, reported as having “disappeared while surfboarding in turbulent waters.” (AP, Tallahassee, FL. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-1964, p. 1.)

[3] “A team of [UPI] reporters was strung from New Orleans to New Iberia…This is the story of what they saw.”

[4] 15 deaths noted for Hurricane Hilda in Southern Louisiana and 22 noted for Tornado in Lafourche Parish.

[5] Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964, p. 107. Nothing is written about the manner of death of any of the victims other than the eight who died in Erath from the falling water tower.

[6] AP. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-1964, p.1. Article makes clear that the building was being used “to house hurricane evacuees.”

[7] Lake Charles American Press, LA. “In Lafayette. Officials to Meet on Hilda.” 10-6-64, p. 1.

[8] Have not actually seen the article – information on the phone from librarian, Larose Branch, Lafourche Parish Public Library System, 10-31-2014, who was reading the article. She suggested calling The Daily Comet in Thibodaux, LA, to see if they had archived coverage. At the suggestion of Lex Wilson, Environmental Desk, The Daily Comet, talked with Paul Chiquet, Librarian, South Lafourche Library, 10-31-2014 who was living in the area at the time, and whose wife was in a boat nearby when the tornado hit. He said he would talk over the weekend with families in Larose to try to get additional information. Received list of 23 fatalities 11-5-2014.

[9] Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes Update 1992-1995. January 1997, p. 1057. Also: Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964, p. 107, which writes: “In the general area of north Larose: A tornado touched down lightly E side Bayou Lafourche, then crossed to W side, dipped, then lifted up, carrying much debris, then descended again destroying or severely damaging homes and automobiles for about one mile along Highway 1, about 3 WNW Intracoastal Canal Bridge. Most deaths due to people trapped in their homes as they collapsed; flying debris accounted for other deaths and many injuries. In the worst hit area, everything flattened except shells of 3 or 4 brick houses. Some debris found at Coteau (about 16 miles away, near 3 miles from Houma).” Also: Tyana Daquaro. “Residents in Lafourche Parish remember F-4 tornado of 1964.” WAFB 90. 5-21-2013.

[10] AP. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-64, p.1. Victim identified as Donald Satcher, 22, of Ruston, who was employed by the W. S. Young Construction Co. of Ruston, which was helping Louisiana Power and Light Co., repair lines and felled poles. He was killed on Sunday, Oct. 4. (Daily Star, Hammond, LA. “Line Repairman is Electrocuted.” 10-5-1964, p. 1.)

[11] Stacy Bodin (Erath’s 100th Anniversary Erath Centennial Historian, 1999). “In the Wake of Tragedy: The Collapse of the Erath Water Tower.” 8-16-2014 modification. Writes that “The City Hall…housed the town’s Police Department, Jail and Fire Station.”

[12] AP. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-1964, p.1. Noted in same sentence as the New Orleans utility repairman electrocution fatality, thus perhaps there as well.

[13] Cites: “authorities.” AP. “36 Dead in Wake as Hilda Heads for Sea.” Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, VA, 10-5-1964, p.1. Possibly one of these three deaths was that of Mrs. Sam J. Distefano, 42, of Hammond, LA, “who was killed Friday [Oct 2] in a car-truck collision near Manchac….Sgt. W. E. Hayden, state policeman, said Mrs. Distefano was heading north when her car collided headon with a trailer truck going south. He said the road had been slick from rain when the accident occurred some four miles south of Ponchatoula on the Manchac highway. Mrs. Distefano was returning home [from LSU in New Orleans] after hearing news of the impending storm weather.” Daily Star, Hammond, LA. “Rites Today for Hammond Wreck Victim.” 10-5-1964, p.3.

[14] We do not use the statement of two fatalities in that one of the fatalities could have been due to a pre-Hilda storm.

[15] Hardy, Albert V. (NWS, Raleigh, NC). “Hurricane Hilda (North Carolina).” 10-6-1964, p.2.

[16] Weather Bureau, Asheville, NC. Storm Data, Vol. 6, No. 10, Oct 1964, p. 108. Writes: “Tropical Storm Hilda caused a synoptic low pressure alignment near northern Florida, which brought heavy to excessive rains to South Carolina on the 4th to 6th…the rains caused some rather heavy damage from flooding. The earliest rainstorm effects were felt in Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg Counties on the 4th and 5th, where rainfall in the mountains was reported in excess of 10 inches. Here, flash flooding from heavy rains on the Keowee and upper Saluda Rivers and the western tributaries of the Broad River caused substantial loss to livestock, to crops, to roads, and bridges. Several small dams burst and there were a number of landslides, one of which was responsible for a fatality…”

[17] Eight, according to Bodin, cited herein.