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Hurricane Risk for Lake Charles, LA

No tropical storms currently threaten the Lake Charles area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1854, 143 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Lake Charles. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Located on a low-lying estuarine lake and near the Gulf, Lake Charles is especially vulnerable to catastrophic storm surge and hurricane-force winds — recent close impacts from Hurricane Laura (2020) and the Cat 4/5 sequence in 2020–2024 underscore surge and extreme wind as the defining risks.

By the numbers

Total storms
143
since 1854
Major (Cat 3+)
33
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
71
all categories
County
Calcasieu Parish
Louisiana

Most recent hurricane

Francine (2024)

Passed within 130 miles of Lake Charles on September 11, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).

The full risk breakdown for Lake Charles

See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit Lake Charles, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.

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Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Lake Charles is in Calcasieu Parish — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.