Louisiana, 2008

Hurricane and Tornadoes in Louisiana, September 1 to 3, 2008

September 1 to 3, 2008 · NWS LCH · 32 events in 18 counties and zones

Hurricane Gustav caused wind damage, flash flooding, and several tornadoes across southwest Louisiana. Hustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish in the morning of September 2nd as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
6
Injuries
2
Property damage
$726 million
Crop damage
$225 million
Events
32

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.

Hurricane Gustav caused wind damage, flash flooding, and several tornadoes across southwest Louisiana.

Hustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish in the morning of September 2nd as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph.

Gustav moved northwest, almost up along Highway 90 across St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin, and Lafayette Parishes. The highest measured wind gusts were 85 mph at a research site near Abbeville, LA in Vermilion Parish. However, wind speeds were estimated between 75 and 85 mph from St. Mary Parish to Evangeline Parish.

Storm surge was a minimal impact because southwest Louisiana was on the west side of the onshore winds for most of the event. The highest recorded storm tide was 4.77 at Amerada Pass in St. Mary Parish.

However, rainfall was a large impact. In central Louisiana, over 20 inches of rain fell in Rapides Parish, with a CO-OP observer recording 20.43 inches 7 miles east of Alexandria. This resulted in widespread flooding of the Alexandria-Pineville region, where over 200 water rescues were performed. Significant flooding also occurred in New Iberia, where over ten inches of rain fell, resulting in widespread flooding in and around New Iberia.

Several tornadoes were seen across southwest Louisiana, with the worst one occurring in Evangeline Parish near Mamou, where two people were killed when their tied-down mobile home was thrown for over 200 yards.

Other fatalities in the region were considered indirect. Two men died in Calcasieu Parish from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator running in their home. A woman died in St. Martin Parish when her home caught fire from burning candles after she lost power.

Total property damages were estimated near 750 million dollars in southwest Louisiana. Agricultural loses were estimated to be over 225 million dollars.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 1, 4:12 AM CST, 4 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 4:12 AM CST, 4 hours 18 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 4:39 AM CST, 3 hours 51 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
539 AM CDT MON SEP 1 2008

GMZ450-452-455-470-472-475-LAZ027>033-041>045-051>055-TXZ180>182-
201-215-216-021045-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAMERON, LA TO HIGH ISLAND, TX OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM INTRACOASTAL CITY TO CAMERON, LA OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER TO INTRACOASTAL CITY,
LA OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM CAMERON, LA TO HIGH ISLAND, TX EXTENDING FROM 20 NM
TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM INTRACOASTAL CITY, LA TO CAMERON, LA EXTENDING FROM
20 NM TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER TO INTRACOASTAL CITY, LA
EXTENDING FROM 20 NM TO 60 NM-VERNON-RAPIDES-AVOYELLES-BEAUREGARD-
ALLEN-EVANGELINE-ST. LANDRY-CALCASIEU-JEFFERSON DAVIS-ACADIA-
LAFAYETTE-UPPER ST. MARTIN-CAMERON-VERMILION-IBERIA-ST. MARY-
LOWER ST. MARTIN-TYLER-JASPER-NEWTON-HARDIN-JEFFERSON-ORANGE-
539 AM CDT MON SEP 1 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHWEST
GULF OF MEXICO...CENTRAL LOUISIANA...SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA...
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA...WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED OVER SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA.
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL BE MOVING INTO SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AROUND 5 PM. THESE WINDS
WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH TO GALE FORCE GUSTS LATE TONIGHT OVER THE
ENTIRE AREA. 5 TO 10 INCHES OF RAIN CAN BE EXPECTED. TORNADIC
THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN THE INNER RAIN BANDS ALONG AND JUST NORTH OF
THE CENTER PATH ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

GUSTS GREATER THAN 34 KNOTS OR 40 MPH WILL CONTINUE OVER THE LAKES
AREA OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON. AN ADDITIONAL 8 TO
12 INCHES OF RAIN POSSIBLE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. RAIN TOTALS UP
TO 20 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE. A STALLING CIRCULATION CENTER AROUND
NORTHEAST TEXAS AND ARKANSAS IS EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
CANNOT RULE OUT THIS SYSTEM STALLING CLOSER TO SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND
CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED FOR TORNADIC THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN
THE INNER RAIN BANDS LATER THIS AFTERNOON MAINLY AROUND CENTRAL
AND SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

SWEENEY

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 7:30 AM CST, 1 hour before
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Local storm report, Sep 1, 8:11 AM CST, 19 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 hurricane (typhoon), 8 flash flood, 7 tornado, 6 tropical storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Hurricane (Typhoon), St. Mary

When
September 1, 8:30 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where
St. Mary forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$150 million
Crop damage
$30 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across St. Mary Parish, damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Hardest hit areas were the Morgan City and Patterson areas.In Morgan City, the water plant, steam plant, and electric plant were damaged. In Franklin an elementary school lost part of the roof. While the wind damage was severe, it was not as bad as Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Lower St. Martin

When
September 1, 9:00 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where
Lower St. Martin forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$10 million
Crop damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.129, -91.608 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across lower St. Martin Parish, damaging homes and businesses. The hardest hit area was Stephensville. The school had two air conditioners blow off the roof, and a radio tower next to the school lost the top 20-30 feet of the tower.

Tropical Storm, Vermilion

When
September 1, 9:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where
Vermilion forecast zone
Property damage
$30 million
Crop damage
$30 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Vermilion Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly in eastern sections of the parish.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Iberia

When
September 1, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Iberia forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$100 million
Crop damage
$30 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across Iberia Parish, damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The hardest hit area was New Iberia. Some homes with metal roofs had them peeled back. At least 23,000 customers lost power.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Upper St. Martin

When
September 1, 11:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where
Upper St. Martin forecast zone
Category
1
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage
$50 million
Crop damage
$15 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.129, -91.608 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across upper St. Martin Parish, damaging over 1000 homes and businesses. The hardest hit areas were Breaux Bridge to St. Martinville. A St. Martinville woman died in a house fire caused by a candle.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Lafayette

When
September 1, 1:00 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where
Lafayette forecast zone
Category
1
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$100 million
Crop damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.207, -92.064 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across Lafayette Parish, damaging some homes and businesses. One man was killed when a tree fell through his roof of the house he was living in.

Tropical Storm, Jefferson Davis

When
September 1, 1:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Jefferson Davis forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Jeff Davis Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed.

Tropical Storm, Calcasieu

When
September 1, 1:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Calcasieu forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 2 indirect
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Calcasieu Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly between DeQuincy, Moss Bluff, and Iowa. Two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning when they improperly placed a running generator inside their home.

Tropical Storm, Cameron

When
September 1, 1:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Cameron forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Cameron Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly east of Grand Chenier.

Hurricane (Typhoon), St. Landry

When
September 1, 2:00 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
St. Landry forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$100 million
Crop damage
$25 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.599, -92.006 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across Evangeline Parish, causing widespread wind damage with trees and power lines blown down parish-wide. The hardest hit areas were between Washington, Nubia, Sunset, and Grand Coteau, where large trees were blown down. In Opelousas, the high school lost part of its roof and a wall partially collapsed. Several other schools in the parish received roof damage to the gyms, auditoriums, and cafeterias. This was worse wind damage than Hurricane Lili in 2002.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Acadia

When
September 1, 2:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Acadia forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$10 million
Crop damage
$10 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav moved across northeastern Acadia Parish, causing widespread wind damage with trees and power lines blown down. Church Point was the hardest hit area.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Evangeline

When
September 1, 3:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Evangeline forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$50 million
Crop damage
$25 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.729, -92.406 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across Evangeline Parish, causing widespread wind dmaage with trees and power lines blown down parish-wide. The hospital roof in Ville Platte was blown off.

Tropical Storm, Beauregard

When
September 1, 3:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Beauregard forecast zone
Property damage
$2.0 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.649, -93.343 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Beauregard Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed.

Tropical Storm, Vernon

When
September 1, 4:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where
Vernon forecast zone
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.108, -93.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav caused tropical storm force winds in Vernon Parish, resulting in scattered trees and power lines downed, mainly in Pitkin and Cravens areas.

Flash Flood, Lafayette

When
September 1, 4:34 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where
Lafayette County, 0.6 mi W of Lafayette to 1.19 mi ENE of Lafayette
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
30.220, -92.030

Between 4 and 5 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in street flooding of sections of Lafayette.

Flash Flood, St. Martin

When
September 1, 4:34 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where
St. Martin County, Breaux Bridge to 2.57 mi NE of Ruth
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
30.270, -91.900

Between 4 and 5 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in street flooding of sections of Breaux Bridge.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Avoyelles

When
September 1, 5:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Avoyelles forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$20 million
Crop damage
$25 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.076, -92.001 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav moved across Avoyelles Parish, causing wind damage between Bunkie and Marksville.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Rapides

When
September 1, 5:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Rapides forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$80 million
Crop damage
$25 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.199, -92.533 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav caused widespread trees and power lines downed across Rapides Parish. Some of the worst wind damage was in Forest Hill, Glenmora, Cheneyville, and Woodworth. At the Alexandria Mall, part of the roof caved in, damaging many stores in the mall.

Flash Flood, Rapides

When
September 1, 6:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where
Rapides County, Woodworth to 4.39 mi ENE of Woodworth
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
31.150, -92.500

Between 6 and 10 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in serious street flooding between Woodworth and Glenmora. Some people were evacuated due to rising water, including a nursing home.

Flash Flood, St. Landry

When
September 1, 6:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where
St. Landry County, Opelousas to 1.41 mi E of Opelousas
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
30.530, -92.080

Between 6 and 8 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours, resulting in serious street flooding between Opelousas and Washington.

Hurricane (Typhoon), Allen

When
September 1, 6:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where
Allen forecast zone
Category
1
Property damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.653, -92.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hurricane Gustav weakend across eastern sections of Allen Parish, yet widespread trees and power lines were blwon down.

Tornado, Avoyelles

When
September 1, 7:07 PM CST to 7:08 PM CST
Where
Avoyelles County, 2.94 mi NNW of Fifth Ward to 3.05 mi NNW of Fifth Ward
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.11 mi
Path width
25 yd
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
31.170, -92.198

A small tornado was seen by a trained spotter near Effie. It produced no damage.

Flash Flood, Iberia

When
September 2, 9:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where
Iberia County, 0.69 mi N of New Iberia to 1.11 mi W of New Iberia
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
30.010, -91.820

Over ten inches of rain fell in sections of New Iberia, resulting in widespread flooding of streets, and even some homes. The hardest hit areas were the West End, and Shelton, Spencer Loop, Anderson, Lombard, and Elizabeth Streets.

Tornado, Avoyelles

When
September 2, 4:10 PM CST to 4:11 PM CST
Where
Avoyelles County, 2.11 mi SE of Mansura to 2.02 mi SE of Mansura
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.11 mi
Path width
25 yd
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.052, -92.022

A small tornado was seen by a sheriff deputy near Mansura. It produced no damage.

Tornado, Allen

When
September 2, 6:08 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where
Allen County, 2.64 mi SW of Le Blanc to 0.62 mi NW of Le Blanc
Rating
EF0
Path length
2.86 mi
Path width
50 yd
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.489, -92.976

A tornado caused minor roof damage to three homes near Leblanc. Eyewitnesses could hear the tornado snapping trees.

Tornado, Evangeline

When
September 3, 1:57 AM CST to 2:01 AM CST
Where
Evangeline County, 6.62 mi NE of Basile to 2.44 mi W of Mamou
Rating
EF2
Path length
7.06 mi
Path width
50 yd
Deaths
2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries
2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.538, -92.511

A strong tornado began near Duralde, and ended near Mamou. Along the way, a home on Valentine Road lost part of its roof, causing one minor injury. A home of Highway 374 was severely damaged when it was knocked off its foundation. Along Duculus Road, two homes lost most of their roofs. One unoccupied, tied-down mobile home was tossed to the northwest over 100 yards and split in half. Another mobile home was thrown in a counter-clockwise motion over 200 yards and was destroyed, resulting in two fatalities and one serious injury. Near the end of the path on Highway 104, a home lost part of its roof. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down along the path.

Flash Flood, Avoyelles

When
September 3, 6:20 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Avoyelles County, 0.59 mi E of Effie to 0.54 mi NNE of Vick
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.220, -92.160

Over ten inches of rain fell through the overnight hours in northwestern sections of Avoyelles Parish. Besides flooded roads, a nursing home was evacuated in Effie.

Flash Flood, Rapides

When
September 3, 6:20 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Rapides County, 0.91 mi SE of Alexandria to 0.52 mi NE of Willow Glen
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$15 million
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.290, -92.460

Over ten inches of rain fell overnight in Alexandria and Pineville, resulting in widespread urban flooding. Over 200 water rescues were performed where people were trapped in their homes filling with water, and at least 1000 autos were flooded. At least 450 homes and 150 businesses were flooded.

Flash Flood, Acadia

When
September 3, 9:49 AM CST to 12:00 PM CST
Where
Acadia County, 0.91 mi NW of Egan to 2.42 mi ENE of Egan
Cause
Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
30.240, -92.510

Significant street flooding was reported in Egan due to at least 4 inches of rain falling in less than 3 hours.

Tornado, Acadia

When
September 3, 10:57 AM CST to 10:58 AM CST
Where
Acadia County, 2.27 mi WSW of Crowley to 1.95 mi WSW of Crowley
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.39 mi
Path width
25 yd
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.206, -92.404

A tornado briefly touched down near the sheriff department in Crowley. The primary damage was blown down trees and some garbage cans thrown around.

Tornado, St. Landry

When
September 3, 12:50 PM CST to 12:51 PM CST
Where
St. Landry County, 0.47 mi NNE of Arnaudville to 0.86 mi NNE of Arnaudville
Rating
EF1
Path length
0.41 mi
Path width
25 yd
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.407, -91.928

A tornado briefly touched down near Highway 31 south of Hebert Road, where several large trees were blown down and a mobile home lost its roof.

Tornado, Rapides

When
September 3, 2:15 PM CST to 2:16 PM CST
Where
Rapides County, 1.15 mi NE of Cheneyville to 1.45 mi NNE of Cheneyville
Rating
EF1
Path length
0.31 mi
Path width
25 yd
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
31.014, -92.289

A tornado briefly touched down in Cheneyville, resulting in minor damage to roofs of several homes and businesses.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Hurricane (Typhoon), Upper St. Martin2008-09-02FemalePermanent HomeIndirect
Hurricane (Typhoon), Lafayette2008-09-0127MalePermanent HomeDirect
Tropical Storm, Calcasieu2008-09-0227MalePermanent HomeIndirect
Tropical Storm, Calcasieu2008-09-0248MalePermanent HomeIndirect
Tornado, Evangeline2008-09-0321FemaleMobile/Trailer HomeDirect
Tornado, Evangeline2008-09-0357MaleMobile/Trailer HomeDirect

What these are

Hurricane (Typhoon)
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or more, filed per forecast zone for its wind, and with separate events for its flooding, surge and tornadoes.
Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph).
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Louisiana in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2008Warnings in Louisiana, September 2008The 2008 hurricane season

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 136815, 136817, 136829, 136816, 136818, 136819, 136826, 136827, 136828, 136821, 136825, 136820, 136834, 136830, 136800, 136805, 136823, 136824, 136806, 136807, 136822, 136808, 136801, 136809, 136810, 136811, 136802, 136803, 136804, 136812, 136813, 136814.