On October 3–4, 1964, Hurricane Hilda and its remnants generated a tornado outbreak over portions of the Southeastern United States. The outbreak, which yielded at least 12 confirmed tornadoes, killed 22 people and injured 175 others. Most of the casualties occurred as a result of the 1964 Larose tornado that devastated the northern outskirts of Larose, Louisiana, becoming the deadliest hurricane-generated tornado on record since 1900 and one of only two violent tornadoes (F4+) recorded in the southern Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. The tornado was also one of only two F4s known to have been produced by a tropical cyclone, the other having occurred during Hurricane Carla on September 12, 1961.

Background At 23:00 UTC on October 3, 1964, Hurricane Hilda made landfall at , near Calumet, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of and an estimated atmospheric pressure of . Although Hilda extensively damaged portions of Louisiana, most of its severest impacts, including the vast majority of fatalities, were related to hurricane-spawned tornadoes, along with inland flooding.

Outbreak statistics +Impacts by regionRegionLocaleCountyDeathsInjuriesDamagesSourceUnited StatesAlabamaBarbour03Butler00Conecuh00LouisianaAssumption00Jefferson03Lafourche22165Orleans02St. Tammany00North Carolina02Total22175

Confirmed tornadoes

October 3 event + Confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, October 3, 1964F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F1Golden MeadowLafourcheLA11:45–?A brief tornado downed utility wires and damaged several structures. Losses totaled $2,500. F1GallianoLafourcheLA12:00–?A short-lived tornado affected up to 10 homes and a funeral parlor. Several of the homes shifted on their CBS foundations or were overturned. Some boats were sunk and power lines downed as well. Losses totaled $25,000. Some minor injuries may have occurred. F4Northern LaroseLafourcheLA12:30–?See article on this tornado – 22 deaths F2New Orleans to KennerOrleans, JeffersonLA15:00–15:20This possible tornado family initially damaged automobiles and structures in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It then skipped to the intersection of the Veterans Highway and the Causeway, damaging gasoline stations and nearby buildings. Several vehicles, including a truck, were overturned or thrown into the air. Broken glass injured three people in Jefferson Parish and losses there totaled $2 million. Two other injuries and an additional $2 in losses occurred in Orleans Parish. At Kenner the tornado badly damaged 17 homes, several of which were unroofed. The NCEI indicates that the tornado developed north-northwest of Waggaman and ended near Seabrook. F2Oakley to Attakapas CanalAssumptionLA17:10–17:15This tornado tracked generally westward. It passed near Napoleonville, felling several trees. Homes and other structures shifted on their foundations or were unroofed. Losses totaled $25,000. F2White Sand to W of West PoplarvillePearl RiverMS21:20–?This strong tornado destroyed a pumphouse, a pair of barns, and a small house. Losses were unknown.

October 4 event + Confirmed tornadoes – Sunday, October 4, 1964F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStartTime (UTC)Path length widthSummary F2WNW of LewisburgSt. TammanyLA09:25–?This tornado destroyed or damaged six lightweight homes. Debris was strewn over a area. Losses totaled $25,000. F1N of Flat RockConecuhAL15:15–?A tornado damaged several outbuildings and a few houses. Losses totaled $2,500. F1Northwestern GeorgianaButlerAL16:20–?A tornado unroofed, destroyed, or otherwise damaged 19 houses, many barns, and a fertilizer plant. Numerous trees were downed as well. Losses totaled $25,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. F2NW of Williamston to SE of AlligatorMartin, Washington, TyrrellNC20:30–21:30A possible tornado family severely damaged or destroyed outbuildings and five homes. It also moved heavy machinery for an unknown distance. Losses totaled $250,000. The publication Storm Data lists one injury. F2Western EufaulaBarbourAL21:00–?A tornado affected buildings along Pump Station Road in Eufaula. It destroyed or damaged two houses, a factory, and a hospital. Three people were injured and losses totaled $2,500. F2NE of Cedar Grove to N of PenderleaColumbus, Bladen, PenderNC23:15–01:00This possible tornado family destroyed or damaged a trailer home, tobacco barns, various outbuildings, a few warehouses, and five homes. Losses totaled $250,000. The publication Storm Data lists one injury. Notable tornadoes Northern Larose

The 1964 Larose tornado was a powerful tornado that formed and dissipated on Larose, Louisiana. The strongest tornado from Hurricane Hilda, it touched down of October 3, 1964, on 6:30 a.m., CST. It was designated as an F4 tornado on the Fujita scale, before dissipating just right after. The tornado killed 22 people, with 165 injuries. Damage totaled to $2.5 million (1964 USD). The tornado was featured in the Life Magazine and caused the construction of a chapel.

See also List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks List of tornadoes spawned by tropical cyclones

Notes

References

Sources