November 2004 was one of the wettest Novembers on record for portions of the region.  The major player in this wet weather pattern was a series of slow moving Pacific cold fronts that combined with a deep layer of tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.  As a result, this pattern caused the wettest November on record for the state of Texas.  These heavy rains also caused minor flooding on rivers throughout the area, including the Neches, Sabine and Calcasieu.

The storms that moved across our region had additional mid-level atmospheric support which also helped to produce several severe weather events.  Several tornadoes, wind damage, and large hail struck portions of southeast Texas and much of Louisiana on November 22^nd and 23^rd, and a few days later large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes affected southern Louisiana on November 27^th.  
 

As of December 31st, Lafayette has recorded 80.35 inches of rainfall since the beginning of January.  This puts 2004 into the Top 5 wettest years on record, with records dating back to 1893. Normal year to date rainfall in Lafayette is 61.40 inches.  Although 2004 was a very wet year, another 23 inches of rain would have to fall to make this the wettest year on record.