Hurricane Lili
October 3, 2002
Hurricane Lili roared through the Gulf of Mexico as a category four hurricane with winds of 145 mph on the evening of October 2.  Fortunately for residents of Louisiana, the storm weakened to a strong category two storm with winds of just over 100 mph near Vermillon Bay in south-central Louisiana.  Strong winds in south Louisiana were reported at near 100 mph at several south Louisiana locations.  The American Red Cross set up shelters across north Louisiana in Shreveport, Ruston, and Monroe.  Red Cross personnel came from as far away as Nebraska and Connecticut.

The National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center issued various warnings and watches for northeast and north central Louisiana.  An inland tropical storm warning was issued for all northeast Louisiana parishes for winds between 40 and 55 mph with higher gusts.  Flash flood watches were also issued for the same area.

During the day, Lili marched northward eventually taking a more westerly course than expected taking the storm through central Louisiana across Alexandria.  On its march northward, Lily spawned tornadoes causing further damage along its path.  One mobile home was reported destroyed south of Alexandria.

Below are some pictures of the Red Cross shelter at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  Photos of the storm will be added as the storm continues to progress northward through northcentral and northeast Louisiana.

LILY PHOTOS