Hurricane Rita in LouisianaHurricane Rita
In April of 2007 we were traveling from Lafayette, Louisiana along the Gulf Coast through Forked Island, Grand Chenier, Oak Grove, Cameron & Holly Beach and finally to the Texas border at Port Arthur, Texas. Hurricane Rita damage in Grand Chenier, Oak Grove, Cameron & Holly Beach, Louisiana. April 8, 2007. Hurricane Rita devastated this area less than a month after hurricane Katrina went ashore in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. While hurricane Katrina and New Orleans received the press coverage this area was devastated like the Mississippi coast towns of Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport & Biloxi. As we neared the coast, devastation was in evidence everywhere. To begin with it was vegetation that was destroyed. Hurrican Rita damage
Then we began to realize that virtually no structures survived. Along the highway we could see driveways leading to foundations. Occasionally, one of those foundations would have the remnant of a brick chimney. One foundation was slick except for a lone toilet the product of someone trying to find something funny in a landscape of total devistation.
Hurricane Rita destroyed this house
This individual has a FEMA trailer resting on the foundation of his old home. This is a very common sight along here where hurricane Rita has destroyed almost everything.
Hurricane Rita destroyed this entire subdivision
Everything was destroyed by hurricane Rita in this neighborhood. As you can see there are 3 or 4 old foundations visible along this side of the street.
Only foundations remain after Hurricane Rita
Several more foundations are visible. It is noteworthy that the properties are otherwise clean. The structures you see appeared to be new.
Hurricane Rita in Cameron, Louisiana
We spotted this hurricane Rita damage in Cameron. It was one of the few structures that were not completely destroyed. Most were nothing but a foundation. This one actually had some roof and structural beams remaining.
Gas station destroyed by Hurricane Rita
Joyce snapped this picture, as we passed, of what was a service station before hurricane Rita.
Hurricane Rita destruction in Cameron, Louisiana
Another structure in Cameron that was not completely destroyed by hurricane Rita. The two buildings you think you are seeing are actually mobile homes where proud houses once stood.
Hurricane Rita FEMA Trailer Park
FEMA trailers have become part of the American lexicon as a result of devastating hurricanes that have reshaped the lives of so many people. These are FEMA trailers in a FEMA park. Other FEMA trailers may be placed on property owned by individuals, generally where their home was destroyed. Hurricane Rita FEMA parks like this one may be for individuals who were renting an apartment or possibly had a mobile home in a mobile home park. In other words these people did not own the property their place of residence was on.
Hurricane Rita FEMA Trailer Park
More hurricane Rita FEMA trailers situated in a temporary park. Remember, most if not all of the individuals in these FEMA trailers did not own the property they were living in when hurricane Rita destroyed their residence. If an individual owned property the FEMA trailer would be set up on their property, usually the old homesite.
Hurricane Rita damage
This structure was located a bit east of Holly Beach. Whatever, was on top of these concrete pilings is long gone.
Hurricane Rita boat
Large vessel hurricane Rita deposited on dry land.
At Cameron the devastation was not just to structures. Large vessels were washed ashore.
Gulf Shrimp boats washed ashore by Hurricane Rita
A group of Gulf Shrimp boats washed ashore in hurricane Rita never to return to the operating shrimp fleet. I have to wonder why these vessels were anywhere near here when hurricane Rita came ashore. The only explanation would be that they were left in harms way in order to collect insurance money. Or possibly a bank had repossessed these vessels and the bank did not have anyone that would move the vessels to safety. Otherwise, I just don't understand. The gulf shrimping industry has been declining for the past decade. Many shrimpers had lost their boats to the bank holding the note. So these boats may well have been reposessed shrimp boats. As you can well imagine when a bank repossesses a shrimp boat the "banker" is not well equipped to move those vessels or even properly safeguard them in case of a hurricane. When "fishermen" are struggling to make payments on their boat the best way "out" for them may be via the insurance company. That is a sad commentary on life but it is a reality. In any event these boats are "high & dry" at the moment.
Hurricane Rita debris
While much of the devastation wrought by hurricane Rita has been removed evidence still abounds as witnessed by this old vehicle.
Cows returning to Louisiana coast after being totally wiped out by hurricane Rita
Across the canal and looking to the north is cattle country. The canal on the north side of this road reminds me of the canals that follow the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades in south Florida. In Florida the canal was essential since it was dug to provide material for the roadbed. I suspect that this canal also provided material for the roadbed. Note that cattle are grazing north of the canal. When hurricane Rita roared ashore thousands of cattle drowned in this area. Water from the Gulf of Mexico covered the area as far as you can see in over 10-feet of water. Land animals perished for as many as 10 to 20 miles north of the gulf. As you can see there is no high ground for animals to find shelter on. Weeks after hurricane Rita fishermen fishing offshore from Pensacola, Florida reported seeing bloated cow carcasses floating in tide lines.
Hurricane Rita moved this bouy
This buoy obviously was blown ashore in hurricane Rita and remains where it came to rest. It must be so shallow that it was impossible for the government to recover this buoy.
Holly Beach, Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Rita
Then we arrived where the community of Holly Beach once was. Oh my gosh, it is gone, completely gone. This picture is looking toward the Gulf. The last time we were here 4-blocks of houses occupied the space between where we are and the Gulf. Wow! Hurricane Rita destroyed all of the structures. This is total devastation
Holly Beach, Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Rita
Another shot of Holly Beach, or rather where Holly Beach once was. Four blocks of wall to wall houses used to be between here and the Gulf. Absolutely nothing remains but three palm trees. I am shocked. Nothing remains of Holly Beach, an entire community has disappeared. Hurricane Rita was indeed a bad hurricane.
Holly Beach, Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Rita
Ahh! One hardy soul with a storage building and FEMA trailer. Holly Beach is going to return from the total destruction by hurricane Rita. Click here for more Louisiana Travel AdventuresUntil next time remember how good life is. Hurricane Rita destroyed the Louisiana gulf coast towns of Cameron & Holly Beach.
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Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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