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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Since 1854, 143 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Lake Charles. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Francine (2024)
Passed within 130 miles of Lake Charles on September 11, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 2 (103 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Rita (2005)
Reached Cat 5 (178 mph) at its peak. Passed within 48 miles of Lake Charles.
Closest approach ever
Nicholas (2021)
Passed just 7.2 miles from Lake Charles on September 15, 2021.
When hurricanes hit Lake Charles
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1854:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Lake Charles residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francine | 2024 | Cat 2 | 130 mi | Sep 11, 2024 |
| Beryl | 2024 | Cat 5 | 147 mi | Jul 08, 2024 |
| Nicholas | 2021 | Cat 1 | 7 mi | Sep 15, 2021 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 145 mi | Aug 30, 2021 |
| Delta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 19 mi | Oct 10, 2020 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 30 mi | Aug 27, 2020 |
| Marco | 2020 | Cat 1 | 94 mi | Aug 25, 2020 |
| Zeta | 2020 | Cat 3 | 171 mi | Oct 28, 2020 |
| Barry | 2019 | Cat 1 | 26 mi | Jul 14, 2019 |
| Harvey | 2017 | Cat 4 | 16 mi | Aug 30, 2017 |
| Isaac | 2012 | Cat 1 | 104 mi | Aug 30, 2012 |
| Gustav | 2008 | Cat 4 | 62 mi | Sep 02, 2008 |
| Ike | 2008 | Cat 4 | 111 mi | Sep 13, 2008 |
| Humberto | 2007 | Cat 1 | 25 mi | Sep 13, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Lake Charles is in Calcasieu Parish — look up your evacuation zone here.
- 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.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.