The calendar
| Month | Rain (in) | Avg high (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.89 | 63 |
| February | 3.26 | 67 |
| March | 3.67 | 73 |
| April | 4.44 | 79 |
| May | 5.40 | 85 |
| June | 6.54 | 91 |
| July | 5.69 | 92 |
| August | 6.19 | 93 |
| September | 5.18 | 89 |
| October | 4.80 | 82 |
| November | 4.13 | 72 |
| December | 4.56 | 65 |
NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Charles airport (NCEI). About 60 in of rain a year.
Fall is the sweet spot: hurricane season ends November 30, rain eases, and builders have room on the schedule. Winter digs mean more groundwater. Signing in March often means swimming in July.
Laura and Delta, 2020
Laura came ashore at Cameron on August 27, 2020, with 150 mph winds, the strongest hurricane in Southwest Louisiana since records began in 1851. The airport gusted to 133 mph before the sensor broke; downtown hit 137 mph (NWS Lake Charles). Six weeks later Delta made landfall near Creole and dropped more than 15 in of rain on the city (AP). Pools filled with debris, and repair crews were booked for months (KPLC). The BioLab chlorine plant in Westlake also burned after Laura (Louisiana Illuminator).
Getting a pool ready for a storm
- Leave it full. Draining it can let groundwater lift or crack the shell.
- Bring in loose furniture and toys; never sink them in the pool.
- Run the pump while you have power; clear the skimmer and drain.
- Afterward, let the yard drain before you lower the water level (UF/IFAS).
Screen enclosures
Less common here than in Florida, but they keep out leaves and bugs. Expect $12,000–30,000 for a wind-rated cage (our estimate, from Fixr's $10,000–30,000 typical range, Fixr). Ask whether the design is engineered for local wind loads, and who rescreens after a storm.
Common questions
Should I drain the pool before a hurricane?
No. UF/IFAS Extension says keep it full through the storm, take loose furniture inside (never into the pool) and run the pump while power lasts (UF/IFAS, 2024). After the storm, let the yard drain before lowering the level.
When is the best time to build?
Sign in the fall. November and February are among the driest months here (NOAA normals), hurricane season ends November 30, and a pool started now is ready for the first hot weekends of spring.
Sources & further reading
- NWS Lake Charles: Hurricane Laura
- AP: Delta inflicts new damage (Oct 2020)
- NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Charles
- UF/IFAS Extension: pools and hurricanes (2024)
- KPLC: pool repairs after Laura and Delta
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.