National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce
Tropical Storm Barbara
July 27-31, 1954

Early on July 27th, an area of low pressure along a decaying frontal zone developed offshore Southeast Louisiana. By daybreak, it is estimated that a tropical depression developed south of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The depression tracked northwestward, intensifying into Tropical Storm Barbara early on July 28th.

Tropical Storm Barbara continued to slowly move northwest and slowly intensified. Barbara made landfall between Cameron and Grand Chenier, Louisiana at 4 AM CST July 29th with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (50 knots) and a minimum central pressure of 999 millibars (29.50 inches). Barbara slowly weakened after landfall, tracking northwest across Southwest Louisiana for the remainder of the morning and moved across Southeast Texas by the afternoon. Barbara weakened to a depression by the evening hours and dissipated by daybreak on July 30th across Central Texas. Click here for an interactive map of Tropical Storm Barbara.

WIND & PRESSURE:
A ship about 50 miles south of Intracoastal City, Louisiana observed a peak wind of 57 mph (50 knots) at 6 AM CST July 29th. Further east, a peak wind of 54 mph (47 knots) was measured at Ship Shoal Lighthouse, about 30 miles south of the mouth of the Atchafalaya River. Across South Central Louisiana, the highest wind of 47 mph (40 knots) was measured in Jeanerette, Louisiana at 6:30 AM CST July 29th. Further west, a peak wind of 47 mph (40 knots) was measured at the U.S. Weather Bureau in Lake Charles, Louisiana at 11:28 AM CST July 29th. Winds of 60 mph were estimated at Catfish Point, about 35 miles southeast of Lake Charles. Observations obtained from the Hurricane Re-analysis Project (1954) and hourly surface observations from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NECI).

STORM SURGE:
No significant coastal flooding was reported.

RAINFALL:
Due to the slow movement, heavy rainfall was recorded, especially across South Central Louisiana where 7 to 13 inches of rainfall occurred from July 27th through July 31st. The highest total of 12.98 inches was recorded in Franklin, Louisiana. For complete rainfall totals reported across our region, see the Rainfall section.

TORNADOES:
No tornadoes were reported.

Additional Data, Maps, Tables 
Wind and Pressure Rainfall

 

Other Post Tropical Cyclone Reports
Monthly Weather Review - 1954 Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary


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