Using data from the NOAA AOML Hurricane Research Division’s surface wind analysis, the wind speeds just before landfall (August 28, 2012 at 2230z) are plotted here in 10 mph increments. This analysis combines wind measurements from all available surface weather observation platforms, along with satellite and aircraft reconnaissance. The effect of land on hurricane intensity is clearly visible in this image: wind speeds decline as they move on land. Though because the coast of Louisiana has a large marsh area, which acts to baffle the effects of hurricanes, there is not as dramatic affect as is found when hurricanes make landfall on more “hard” coasts.