On the morning of October 2, 1893, a Category 4 hurricane with winds estimated at 135 MPH struck southeast Louisiana and devastated Chenière Caminada. Strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, it drove a powerful storm surge that flooded much of southeast Louisiana. In Chenière Caminada, 779 of the 1,500 residents lost their lives, and the storm caused about 2,000 fatalities in total, making it among the deadliest American hurricanes.