Hurricane Katrina - Lighthouse Status
Accessing and gathering information on the damage caused by Hurricane
Katrina to Gulf Coast lighthouse is insignificant in comparison to the huge
human tragedy in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
As part
of the American Lighthouse Foundation's mission
is dedicated to
saving, preserving and telling the story of lighthouses,
we are requesting information (and if possible, photographs), as to the
status of lighthouses in the area where Hurricane Katrina struck.
Status of lighthouses...
Chandeleur Light, LA -
Reports are now confirmed that Chandeleur Light was destroyed by Hurricane
Katrina.
New Canal Lighthouse, LA - We know that
New Canal Lighthouse in Louisiana was knocked off its foundation, but it is
still standing, although precariously.
Pass a L'Outre
Lighthouse, LA -
UPDATED: 11/17/05
Lighthouse enthusiast Laura McComb recently provided American
Lighthouse Foundation president Tim Harrison with an update on the status of
Louisiana’s Pass a l’Outre Lighthouse in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Below is the email response that Laura received from the
Delta National Wildlife Management Refuge on
Laura,
”The lighthouses on Pass a l’Outre and South Pass faired
well. Neither has sustained any obvious significant damage. The Pass a
l’Outre lighthouse is located at the end of Pass a l’Outre between Pass a
l’Outre and North Pass. The marsh around the lighthouse did receive
significant damage. If the erosion continues it will be residing in open
water unprotected. The lighthouse on South Pass is located on the west bank
of the mouth of South Pass.”
Todd D. Baker
Louisiana’s Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Thanks to Laura McComb for passing along this wonderful news!
West Rigolets Lighthouse, AL -
Confirmation of the loss of
West Rigolets Light came from Mike Caswell, who has a web page on the
lighthouse. He lives in the area and heard it mentioned specifically on
radio station WWL 870AM by a reporter who had toured the area by boat and
said the lighthouse is "completely gone, no sign of it at all."
Biloxi Lighthouse, MS - We know from
television broadcasts that Biloxi Lighthouse in Mississippi has survived.
Ship Island Lighthouse, MS - We have
learned
via the National Park Service,
which has jurisdiction over the Gulf Islands National Seashore, that Ship
Island Lighthouse, Mississippi did not survive Hurricane Katrina. This is
the lighthouse that was built in 1999-2000 as an exact replica of its
predecessor.
Middle Bay Lighthouse, AL -
Alabama's Middle
Bay Lighthouse in Mobile survived Hurricane Katrina. Some windows and a door
were damaged and the wind took much of the paint off, but the lighthouse
weathered the storm quite well.
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