Of course, the Bayou State is no stranger to hurricanes. There have been a number of terrible hurricanes in Louisiana, including those that have hit in our own lifetimes. However, we haven't always been blessed with the amount of preparation time that we typically have now for these storms. Some of the worst hurricanes in Louisiana history hit the state in the time before technology allowed for adequate prediction. Perhaps no other storm taught us the importance of preparation more than Hurricane Betsy, which hit in 1965 and changed Louisiana forever.
Hurricane Betsy formed on Aug. 27, 1965, and quickly gained a high wind speed of 155 miles per hour.
This was a particularly erratic storm that was difficult to predict. This made it hard for people in its path to be prepared for all the damage that would come their way.
The storm caused extensive damage in the Bahamas and Florida before touching down in Louisiana.
Many of Louisiana's swamp settlements, like St. Bernard Parish (pictured) suffered extensive damage.
The storm dumped over 12 inches of rain in New Orleans and pushed a major storm surge over Lake Pontchartrain.
This was one of the first times in history that the MR-GO shipping channel would contribute to major flooding in the city. The Lower Ninth Ward was extensively flooded, mirroring the flooding that would later take place following Hurricane Katrina.
President Lyndon B. Johnson visited to survey the damage, and he actually took the above photo of New Orleans while flying overhead in Air Force One.
The Lower Ninth Ward was completely devastated and would take years to recover from the damage.
Other surrounding areas were also flooded and damaged by the winds. This was a disaster that would affect the local economy for months to come.
This early satellite image of the hurricane shows just how massive the storm was.
Remembering the damage caused by Hurricane Betsy and some of the other worst hurricanes in Louisiana history is important. The damage that these natural events can inflict should not be underestimated.
Did you live in this area and experience Hurricane Betsy? Share your stories in the comments!
Even though we typically have time to prepare for severe weather events nowadays, people are still killed by hurricanes in Louisiana. It's important to make sure you keep your emergency preparedness kit up to date to give you the best chance of making it through a disaster like this.
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