 The New Orleans area was hit harder than in the two prior storms to strike the Gulf Coast ; the most densely populated areas were now located in the eastern semicircle of the storm , which is one of the most intense quadrants . Residents in Plaquemines Parish , Louisiana reported the storm to be the worst wind event they had ever experienced . Coinciding with the beginning of the annual season of sugar production , the storm destroyed vast fields of sugar cane south and southwest of New Orleans and flattened many sheds used to store farming equipment . Winds throughout the region of south @-@ central Louisiana inflicted " unparallelled destruction " , causing major structural damage . It was reported to be nearly impossible to walk through the streets of the city at the height at the storm ; the winds came with over 5 in ( 130 mm ) of rain . Thirteen people died in the hurricane at New Orleans . A five @-@ story brick building succumbed to the force of the hurricane and crashed onto the city below ; caught in its path were two other buildings . This particular incident killed two people . Many other buildings suffered damaged roofs and broken glass , and telegraph and police wires were brought down . 
