On August 26, 1995, an area of disturbed weather associated with a tropical wave emerged over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, between the western coast of Africa and the Cape Verde Islands.

Although convective activity fluctuated over the next two days as the result of a nearby wind shear, the storm continued to intensify as pressure rose.

[1] By the time that it approached the Lesser Antilles on September 4, Luis had sustained a wind field measuring from 345 to 365 miles (555 to 587 km) in diameter.

On the morning of September 5, the islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe, which experienced hurricane-force winds on the northeastern coast of Grande-Terre and La Désirade, had been relatively spared by the storm.

During this time, the storm proceeded slowly northwestward, causing moderate damage to Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.

Later, Luis moved along St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, and ultimately crossed Anguilla, where the most powerful winds within the eyewall were estimated to have reached 135 mph (217 km/h), and its central pressure had dropped from 945 to 942 mbar (27.9 to 27.8 inHg).

[1] Later that day, the storm began to accelerate as it traveled northeast, ahead of a strong trough located to the northwest of Luis.

[1][5] Luis maintained this intensity until September 11, when it reached the Avalon Peninsula in eastern Newfoundland,[1][6] where cold, dry air became entrenched in its circulation, and the system began to merge with the approaching trough.

[1][7] The extratropical remains persisted for 30 more hours over the North Atlantic Ocean before being absorbed by the trough near the southern coast of Greenland late on September 12.

[1] Three days before passing over the northern Lesser Antilles, Luis became a Category 4 hurricane and was forecasted to avoid areas well to the north, following the path set by Humberto and Karen.

Over the course of September 3, Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Barthelemy were placed under hurricane watch.

The Maritimes center of the Meteorological Service of Canada issued warnings for the affected areas as early as September 9, 36 hours before the arrival of the storm.

Due to a lack of reports from some affected areas, the exact amount of damage caused by the storm is unknown, but it is estimated at US$3 billion.

As a result of a direct hit from the Category 4 hurricane, Barbuda experienced 135 mph (217 km/h) and over 10 inches (25 cm) of rain, contributing to very extensive damage.

The highest rainfall within the 48-hour period was in La Grande Soufrière, where 22.91 inches (58.2 cm) of rain damaged the west coast roads and washed away houses.

[16] The islands suffered extensive damages from 135 mph (217 km/h) winds as the hurricane passed at least 20 miles (32 km) north of Saint Barthelemy.

[24] The eyewall of Luis passed 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) northeast of the island of Saint Martin, causing extensive and catastrophic damage to 60% of the area, particularly on the Dutch side.

Of the 70% of residences that were damaged in the storm, nearly 15% became uninhabitable, including businesses, churches, the main airport terminal, some schools, and four hotels.

Over 5,000 Haitians living in the Dutch quarter were left homeless, while some towns on the island spent nearly three months without water and power.

The storm further damaged local vegetation and some of the road infrastructure, with problems essentially arising from the poor water system on the islands.

[34] Rough waves on the northeastern and western coast affected towns such as Marigot, Roseau, and Portsmouth, leaving about 1,000 residents homeless.

[citation needed] Luis passed at 120 miles (190 km) northeast of Puerto Rico, causing minor damages in the east.

[1] Rough seas from the storm affected the East Coast of the United States, resulting in some beach erosion and damage to two waterfront structures on Fire Island.

On September 7, rip currents produced by Luis caused the death of one person near Corncake Inlet, North Carolina.

[11][12] On September 11, a rogue wave triggered by Luis slammed the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner when it was about 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) south of eastern Newfoundland.

The Children's Fund additionally provided a cash grant of $20,000 to all affected islands, and the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributed $20,000 to Antigua and Barbuda, $15,000 to Dominica, and $5,000 to St. Kitts and Nevis for the purposes of rebuilding schools.

[46] While most of the support was entirely financial, given in emergency and recovery funds, the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office provided relief goods, such as plastic sheeting, water containers, blankets, and basic medical supplies worth $1.2 million.

The Government of Jamaica deployed military recovery teams to affected regions to assist with rehabilitation and cleanup efforts.

[48] Both the Netherlands and France sent soldiers and police officers to their respective sides of the island, but eyewitnesses and residents reported that the authorities did little to intercede in the widespread looting that followed the hurricane.

Due to the severe damage and loss of life caused by the storm in the Leeward Islands, the name "Luis" was retired in the spring of 1996 by the World Meteorological Organization, and will never be used for another Atlantic tropical cyclone.