De Soto Parish, Louisiana Hurricane History
Since 1865, 25 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of De Soto Parish, Louisiana — about one every 6.4 years. Of those, 3 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Laura (2020), which passed 38 miles away on 27 August 2020.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentLaura (2020) — 38 mi away, 27 August 2020
- Strongest stormLaura (2020) — 75 kt (86 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordCindy (2017) — 4.1 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles12 of 25
- Peak monthAugust — 10 storms (40% of all)
- Most active year1988 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1980s — 5 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1865–2020
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura (2020) | 27 Aug 2020 | 37.8 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Barry (2019) | 14 Jul 2019 | 10.2 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Cindy (2017) | 22 Jun 2017 | 4.1 mi | TS / TD | 33 kt |
| Gustav (2008) | 2 Sep 2008 | 14.1 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Rita (2005) | 24 Sep 2005 | 19.1 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Jerry (1989) | 16 Oct 1989 | 41.1 mi | TS / TD | 19 kt |
| Florence (1988) | 11 Sep 1988 | 49.8 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Beryl (1988) | 10 Aug 1988 | 40.3 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1987) | 11 Aug 1987 | 22.8 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Chris (1982) | 12 Sep 1982 | 36.2 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Debra (1978) | 29 Aug 1978 | 43.6 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Brenda (1955) | 2 Aug 1955 | 18.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1949) | 5 Oct 1949 | 36.2 mi | TS / TD | 29 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1947) | 20 Sep 1947 | 22.7 mi | TS / TD | 39 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1941) | 24 Sep 1941 | 35.4 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1940) | 9 Aug 1940 | 44.5 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1938) | 15 Aug 1938 | 20.4 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1931) | 16 Jul 1931 | 40.8 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1918) | 7 Aug 1918 | 42.6 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1911) | 14 Aug 1911 | 27.6 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1895) | 7 Oct 1895 | 46.5 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1891) | 6 Jul 1891 | 20.5 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1886) | 13 Oct 1886 | 12.5 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1879) | 23 Aug 1879 | 7.4 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1865) | 14 Sep 1865 | 18.5 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 2 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allison (1989) | Post-tropical | 1 Jul 1989 | 41.5 mi | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1933) | Post-tropical | 25 Jul 1933 | 24.8 mi | 25 kt |
How De Soto Parish, Louisiana compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, De Soto Parish, Louisiana ranks #637 — more exposed than 71.1% of them. Within Louisiana it ranks #46 of 64, against a state average of 37.0 storms per parish.
Notable storms
- Cat 1 Laura (2020) passed 38 miles away on 27 August 2020 as a hurricane, reaching 75 kt (86 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1886) passed 12 miles away on 13 October 1886 as a hurricane, reaching 60 kt (69 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1879) passed 7 miles away on 23 August 1879 as a hurricane, reaching 60 kt (69 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1865) passed 18 miles away on 14 September 1865 as a tropical storm, reaching 53 kt (61 mph) while within 50 miles.
22 of the 25 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 6.4 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 25 storms spread over the 161 years from 1865 to 2025. 1 separate year saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 23 years, between 1955 and 1978. It has been 5 years since the last one; 11 of the 23 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit De Soto Parish, Louisiana?
3 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of De Soto Parish, Louisiana at hurricane strength since 1865. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 25.
When was the last hurricane in De Soto Parish, Louisiana?
Laura (2020), on 27 August 2020, passing 38 miles away — 6 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Laura (2020) in 2020.
What was the strongest storm to affect De Soto Parish, Louisiana?
Laura (2020), which reached 75 kt (86 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 38 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit De Soto Parish, Louisiana?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 6.4 years — 25 storms over the 161 years from 1865 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby parishes
De Soto Parish, Louisiana borders or sits close to 6 other parishes with a published storm record. Red River Parish, Louisiana has 24 on record.