1926 Louisiana Hurricane - landfall SW of Houma 99 years ago today

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A storm surge of 15 feet was reported in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. At Timbalier Bay, tides were 10 feet above average. The New Canal Lighthouse was damaged by the strong wind and waves. Previously damaged by the 1915 New Orleans hurricane, the new damage instigated a project to raise the lighthouse by 3 feet. The third Timbalier Bay lighthouse was also damaged by the hurricane. Several small fishing schooners were lost during the storm after failing to evacuate to ports prior to the storm. Upstream of the Mississippi River near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, a boat sank.

Strong hurricane force winds were reported along the Louisiana coast at landfall. Grand Isle reported sustained winds of 100 mph, while gusts in Thibodaux and Napoleonville were estimated at 120 mph. Three churches, a warehouse, and ten stores were destroyed in Thibodaux. A weather station in New Orleans observed a peak wind gust of 52 mph.

Severe damage was reported between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which included uprooted trees and displaced barns. Roads were also blocked by debris. Window damage caused by strong winds was reported in New Orleans. Baton Rouge was affected by a power outage, resulting in $20,000 in losses to the local electric company. Communication wires were downed in Morgan City, preventing communication with other cities. Houses were also unroofed in the city by strong winds. A ferry was also wrecked by the hurricane offshore of Morgan Point

In Houma, an estimated 90% of sugar cane was lost due to the hurricane. The city's sugarhouse was also destroyed, along with an Episcopal church. Three passenger trains along the Southern Pacific Railroad were detained in Avondale, Louisiana after winds were determined to be too unsafe for rail operations The strong winds and rain also caused a mail plane to crash. In Tulane University, a chemistry building was destroyed by a fire during the hurricane. Several other fires were reported in various areas of New Orleans.

The hurricane also dropped heavy rains along the coast, which were increased by atmospheric instability in the region just prior to the storm's landfall. Rainfall peaked in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, where 14.5 inches of rain was reported in a 24–hour period from August 25 to the 26th. 24–hour rainfall records were set in 11 locations, including Donaldsonville. The rains destroyed a pecan orchard in Schriever, Louisiana, and damaged crops in Crowley, Louisiana. Other rainfall amounts of at least 3 inches were widespread across the coast. Outside of Louisiana, rainfall peaked at 10 inches in the Florida Panhandle, with localized rainfall measurements of at least 5 inches. The hurricane caused 25 deaths and an estimated $6 million in damages, of which $4 million were attributed to infrastructural damage. After the storm, the American Red Cross sent relief to Houma, Louisiana and other affected regions to assist in rehabilitation work.

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