Louisiana coast after Hurricane RitaHurricane Rita
We are traveling west 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. We were mesmurized by Hurricane Rita damage in Grand Chenier, Oak Grove, Cameron & Holly Beach, Louisiana. April 8, 2007. Today was windy and cold. Much too cold to be the 8th of April in south Louisiana. We continued on our western journey by dropping south out of Lafayette to State Road 82 in Kaplan. From Kaplan we followed SR-82 south to Forked Island, Pecan Island, Grand Chenier, Oak Grove, Holly Beach and on into Port Arthur Texas. This drive took us along the coast where we could see the Gulf of Mexico much of the time. 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 subdivision east of Cameron, Louisiana
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.
Hurricane Rita damage 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 east of Cameron, Louisiana
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 damage east of Holly Beach, Louisiana
This structure was located a bit east of Holly Beach. Whatever, was on top of these concrete pilings is long gone.
Gulf Oil boats and drilling barges in Cameron, Louisiana canal
This picture was taken from the the ferry that transported us across this waterway at Cameron, Louisiana.
That is a supply vessel used to service offshore oil rigs. Next to it is a floating oil/gas rig. This rig is floated into place then the long poles that you see will be lowered and the "floating-barge" will become the working & living structure. When in place the Barge will become airborne with the crane and all. The pilings that you see extending above the barge probably extend that far underneath the barge. The pilings are holding it in place now even though this rig is now at the dock. While jackup rigs may be used for any number of things I think their primary mission is to serve as an offshore drilling platform for the petrolium industry. A barge will pull or push the platform into place then operators on the jackup rig will lower the three legs. Drilling operations as well as living quarters are contained on these jackup rigs. Once the well has been drilled the well will be capped and this jackup rig moved to another drilling site. If oil or gas was the result of the well then either a fixed/stationary platform might be constructed or the well head may just be connected along with other wells to a pipeline leading to shore.
Jackup Rig in port along the Texas, Louisiana border south of Port Arthur, Texas
This is a jackup rig like the one above but this one has the floating barge jacked up to the top. Note that the legs are holding up not only the platform but at least three cranes. When operating in deep Gulf waters this is how the jack up rig would look except much, if not most of the legs would be under water. To the left of this jack up rig is another, much larger jackup rig. However the much larger jackup rig is not "jacked-up" you can see the platform and cranes on the platform behind the trees at the bottom of those large legs.
Hurricane Rita boat washed ashore in Cameron, Louisiana
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 in Cameron, Louisiana
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.
Hurricane Rita debris in Holly Beach, Louisiana
While much of the devastation wrought by hurricane Rita has been removed evidence still abounds as witnessed by this old vehicle.
Gulf of Mexico west of Holly Beach, Louisiana
I pulled the motorhome over and took this picture of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a fairly typical beach scene along the coast of Louisiana. This view is to the south. Now contrast this with the view to the north in the picture below.
Cows have returned to south Louisiana prairies after 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 now located east of Cameron, Louisiana
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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