Hurricane Gustav caused wind damage, flash flooding, and several tornadoes across southwest Louisiana.
Hustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish in the morning of September 2nd as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph.
Gustav moved northwest, almost up along Highway 90 across St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin, and Lafayette Parishes. The highest measured wind gusts were 85 mph at a research site near Abbeville, LA in Vermilion Parish. However, wind speeds were estimated between 75 and 85 mph from St. Mary Parish to Evangeline Parish.
Storm surge was a minimal impact because southwest Louisiana was on the west side of the onshore winds for most of the event. The highest recorded storm tide was 4.77 at Amerada Pass in St. Mary Parish.
However, rainfall was a large impact. In central Louisiana, over 20 inches of rain fell in Rapides Parish, with a CO-OP observer recording 20.43 inches 7 miles east of Alexandria. This resulted in widespread flooding of the Alexandria-Pineville region, where over 200 water rescues were performed. Significant flooding also occurred in New Iberia, where over ten inches of rain fell, resulting in widespread flooding in and around New Iberia.
Several tornadoes were seen across southwest Louisiana, with the worst one occurring in Evangeline Parish near Mamou, where two people were killed when their tied-down mobile home was thrown for over 200 yards.
Other fatalities in the region were considered indirect. Two men died in Calcasieu Parish from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator running in their home. A woman died in St. Martin Parish when her home caught fire from burning candles after she lost power.
Total property damages were estimated near 750 million dollars in southwest Louisiana. Agricultural loses were estimated to be over 225 million dollars.

Tornado in EVANGELINE, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 01:57:00 to 03-SEP-08 02:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASILE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A strong tornado began near Duralde, and ended near Mamou. Along the way, a home on Valentine Road lost part of its roof, causing one minor injury. A home of Highway 374 was severely damaged when it was knocked off its foundation. Along Duculus Road, two homes lost most of their roofs. One unoccupied, tied-down mobile home was tossed to the northwest over 100 yards and split in half. Another mobile home was thrown in a counter-clockwise motion over 200 yards and was destroyed, resulting in two fatalities and one serious injury. Near the end of the path on Highway 104, a home lost part of its roof. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down along the path.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. MARY, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 08:30:00 to 01-SEP-08 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 150.00M
Crop damage: 30.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across St. Mary Parish, damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Hardest hit areas were the Morgan City and Patterson areas.In Morgan City, the water plant, steam plant, and electric plant were damaged. In Franklin an elementary school lost part of the roof. While the wind damage was severe, it was not as bad as Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Flash Flood in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 06:20:00 to 03-SEP-08 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDRIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Over ten inches of rain fell overnight in Alexandria and Pineville, resulting in widespread urban flooding. Over 200 water rescues were performed where people were trapped in their homes filling with water, and at least 1000 autos were flooded. At least 450 homes and 150 businesses were flooded.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in EVANGELINE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 15:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00M
Crop damage: 25.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Evangeline Parish, causing widespread wind dmaage with trees and power lines blown down parish-wide. The hospital roof in Ville Platte was blown off.

Flash Flood in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 06:20:00 to 03-SEP-08 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EFFIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Over ten inches of rain fell through the overnight hours in northwestern sections of Avoyelles Parish. Besides flooded roads, a nursing home was evacuated in Effie.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in IBERIA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 11:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00M
Crop damage: 30.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Iberia Parish, damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The hardest hit area was New Iberia. Some homes with metal roofs had them peeled back. At least 23,000 customers lost power.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 13:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Lafayette Parish, damaging some homes and businesses. One man was killed when a tree fell through his roof of the house he was living in.

Flash Flood in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 16:34:00 to 01-SEP-08 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAFAYETTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Between 4 and 5 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in street flooding of sections of Lafayette.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 09:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across lower St. Martin Parish, damaging homes and businesses. The hardest hit area was Stephensville. The school had two air conditioners blow off the roof, and a radio tower next to the school lost the top 20-30 feet of the tower.

Flash Flood in IBERIA, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 09:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW IBERIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Over ten inches of rain fell in sections of New Iberia, resulting in widespread flooding of streets, and even some homes. The hardest hit areas were the West End, and Shelton, Spencer Loop, Anderson, Lombard, and Elizabeth Streets.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 11:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across upper St. Martin Parish, damaging over 1000 homes and businesses. The hardest hit areas were Breaux Bridge to St. Martinville. A St. Martinville woman died in a house fire caused by a candle.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 14:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across northeastern Acadia Parish, causing widespread wind damage with trees and power lines blown down. Church Point was the hardest hit area.

Tropical Storm in VERNON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 16:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Vernon Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly in Pitkin and Cravens areas.

Tornado in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 16:10:00 to 02-SEP-08 16:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANSURA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A small tornado was seen by a sheriff deputy near Mansura. It produced no damage.

Flash Flood in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODWORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Between 6 and 10 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in serious street flooding between Woodworth and Glenmora. Some people were evacuated due to rising water, including a nursing home.

Tropical Storm in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 13:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Calcasieu Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly between DeQuincy, Moss Bluff, and Iowa. Two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning when they improperly placed a running generator inside their home.

Tropical Storm in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 15:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Beauregard Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed.

Flash Flood in ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 16:34:00 to 01-SEP-08 17:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BREAUX BRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Between 4 and 5 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in street flooding of sections of Breaux Bridge.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 17:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 80.00M
Crop damage: 25.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused widespread trees and power lines downed across Rapides Parish. Some of the worst wind damage was in Forest Hill, Glenmora, Cheneyville, and Woodworth. At the Alexandria Mall, part of the roof caved in, damaging many stores in the mall.

Tornado in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 10:57:00 to 03-SEP-08 10:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROWLEY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tornado briefly touched down near the sheriff department in Crowley. The primary damage was blown down trees and some garbage cans thrown around.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 17:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 20.00M
Crop damage: 25.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Avoyelles Parish, causing wind damage between Bunkie and Marksville.

Tropical Storm in VERMILION, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 09:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 30.00M
Crop damage: 30.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Vermilion Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly in eastern sections of the parish.

Tornado in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 19:07:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: FIFTH WARD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A small tornado was seen by a trained spotter near Effie. It produced no damage.

Tropical Storm in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 13:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Jeff Davis Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed.

Tornado in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 14:15:00 to 03-SEP-08 14:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHENEYVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A tornado briefly touched down in Cheneyville, resulting in minor damage to roofs of several homes and businesses.

Tornado in ALLEN, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 18:08:00 to 02-SEP-08 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LE BLANC
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado caused minor roof damage to three homes near Leblanc. Eyewitnesses could hear the tornado snapping trees.

Tropical Storm in CAMERON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 13:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Cameron Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly east of Grand Chenier.

Flash Flood in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OPELOUSAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Between 6 and 8 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in serious street flooding between Opelousas and Washington.

Tornado in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 12:50:00 to 03-SEP-08 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNAUDVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado briefly touched down near Highway 31 south of Hebert Road, where several large trees were blown down and a mobile home lost its roof.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 14:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 100.00M
Crop damage: 25.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Evangeline Parish, causing widespread wind damage with trees and power lines blown down parish-wide. The hardest hit areas were between Washington, Nubia, Sunset, and Grand Coteau, where large trees were blown down. In Opelousas, the high school lost part of its roof and a wall partially collapsed. Several other schools in the parish received roof damage to the gyms, auditoriums, and cafeterias. This was worse wind damage than Hurricane Lili in 2002.

Flash Flood in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 03-SEP-08 09:49:00 to 03-SEP-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EGAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Significant street flooding was reported in Egan due to at least 4 inches of rain falling in less than 3 hours.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ALLEN, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 18:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav weakend across eastern sections of Allen Parish, yet widespread trees and power lines were blwon down.