Hurricane Status page
The Hurricane season of 2005 has been quite a rough one, destroying at least four lighthouses along the Gulf Coast.
An underlined word denotes a link
Hurricanes:
Hurricane Katrina:
States:
A number of lights were in Hurricane Katrina's path.
This page will be updated as I find new information
Reports (and pictures) are welcome: Zachary3@gmail.com
I've arranged them in order by state. A star (*) indicates a light that was in critical condition prior to Katrina.
UPDATE OCT 22/05: I added information about Hurricane Wilma.
Alabama:
Middle Bay: Still standing with some exterior damage
Mobile Point Modern Light: Still standing
*Sand Island: Still standing, damage unknown
Louisiana:
*Chandeleur Island: Destroyed
New Canal: Still standing, torn from foundation, porch destroyed
*Pass A L'Outre: Still standing
*Pass Manchac: Still standing without significant damage...a lot of people thought this lighthouse wouldn't make it, I for one am amazed it did. But, it is still in a fragile state, being mostly supported by wooden pilings built around it, as well as a steel cord fastened around the tower and secured to the ruins of the keeper's house. Please support the Lake Maurepas Society in restoring the lighthouse and making sure that it stands for years to come.
*Southwest Pass 1839: Still Standing
*Southwest Pass 1871: Still Standing
Southwest Pass Entrance: Unknown
*West Rigolets: Destroyed
Mississippi:
Biloxi: Still standing, serious interior damage
I just received this message regarding the condition of the tower:
"The structure is stable; some of the interior (non-structural) brick lining collapsed, but can be stabilized and repaired, and the lighthouse lists slightly to northeast, perhaps more than it did before the storm."
-S. Patrick Sparks
President, Sparks Engineering, Inc.
Ship Island: Destroyed
*Round Island (ruins): Unknown
This was the site of the ruins, whether or not they are
still there, I do not know.
The status of lighthouses pales in comparison to the damage to AL, LA, and MS, as well as FL and the lives that were lost, but, this being a lighthouse website, I thought I should post this information.
I'd also like to mention something that may bring a small ray of hope, a similar situation occurred in Galveston almost 100 years ago, the city was nearly destroyed by a hurricane. Slowly but surely they rebuilt and I'm sure the affected areas by Katrina will do the same.
Hurricane Rita:
States:
Only about a month after Katrina, Hurricane Rita struck the gulf coast striking mainly in Sabine Pass but hitting as far west as Galveston and as far east as New Orleans.
Louisiana:
*Sabine Pass: Still Standing, Damage unknown
Sabine Pass East Jetty: Unknown
All other LA lights are same as above
Texas:
Bolivar Point: Still Standing, Damage unknown
*Galveston South Jetty (Ruins): Unknown
Sabine Bank: Unknown but most likely standing
Hurricane Wilma:
States:
October 2005 Hurricane Wilma struck the Gulf Coast of Florida, destroying at least one lighthouse.
Florida:
Cape St. George: Destroyed
Cape St. George Ruins. Photo by Ed Tiley, Coastline Productions