BATON ROUGE, La. — Gov. Jeff Landry has issued an executive order proclaiming Sept. 24, 2025, as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day in Louisiana. The date marks the 20th anniversary of the devastating storm.

Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on Sept. 24, 2005, with destructive winds and a powerful storm surge. The hurricane, which reached Category 5 strength with 180 mph winds at its peak, made landfall as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds. The storm devastated Cameron and Vermilion parishes and much of southwest Louisiana, displacing countless residents and destroying homes and businesses.

“Louisianians endured extraordinary suffering during Hurricane Rita, but they also showed unmatched courage and resilience,” Landry said. “Twenty years later, we honor those

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