(June 27, 2007) - The National Weather Service forecast office in Lake Charles joined the city of Cameron and Cameron Parish to mark the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Audrey - the deadliest natural disaster in the history of southwest Louisiana and the seventh deadliest to make land fall in the United States.

While the exact number will probably never be known, the death toll attributed to Hurricane Audrey is at least 416. The damage estimate at the time was $150 million or $1.3 billion in 2007 dollars.

"While Audrey was classified as a strong category 4 hurricane with estimated wind speeds of about 150 miles per hour, water was the real killer," said Andy Patrick, meteorologist-in-charge of the NWS forecast office in Lake Charles, La. "Nearly all of the deaths can be attributed to storm surge. Surges in excess of 12 feet were reported along a 24 mile stretch of Louisiana coast line from Calcasieu Pass to Grand Cheniere."

A memorial service for those who lost their lives during the hurricane and those who worked to rebuild Cameron Parish after the storm -- drew more than 300 residents. Ironically, the grandchildren of that generation are now going through a similar rebuilding process following Hurricane Rita (2005).

Staffers from Lake Charles also maintained an information booth highlighting meteorological data from Hurricane Audrey. They also answered questions about the dramatic changes that have occurred in the National Weather Service since that tragic event 50 years ago.

Today, the National Weather Service toolbox includes powerful supercomputers running sophisticated numerical models, enhanced research capabilities; and, more observations over the sea using a diverse array of buoys, ships, aircraft and satellites - resulting in dramatically improved National Hurricane Center track predictions.

Doppler radar and other land-based data gathering systems also helps local forecast offices provide a wide range of Inland Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watches and Warnings for their areas. All of the educational and technological advances, coupled with an intensive NWS training regimen, serve to provide citizens with longer warning lead times and more accurate weather information.