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Hurricane Audrey
The most destructive storm to strike Cameron, Louisiana was Hurricane Audrey. Storm surges climbing over 10 feet high demolished the city. The storm picked up speed and hit the coast in the middle of the night catching the people of Cameron by surprise and over 400 were killed. Most people returned and rebuilt in Cameron. -
Hurricane Carla
Although the hurricane hit the Texas coastline, storm surges of over 7 feet landed as far away as Cameron, Louisiana. This time civil defense officials met before the storm to plan a better evacuation plan that, along with better forcasting, saved lives. Only 46 people in Texas and Louisiana died in Hurricane Carla. -
Hurricane Edith
Forcasts of Hurricane Edith were highly accurate. Landfall was predicted 18 hours in advance and the people of Cameron Parish were able to prepare for the storm. -
2000 Census
The population of Cameron, Louisiana was 1,965. This is down from more than 3,000 before Hurricane Audrey. -
Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita devestated the already battered Louisiana coastline. Twenty foot storm surges slammed Cameron, Louisiana and over 80% of the buildings and homes in town were destroyed. Residents were not permitted to return to the area for three months. Many people who survived Hurricane Audrey were unable or unwilling to rebuild. -
Schools reopen in Cameron Parrish
After Hurricane Rita destroyed three of the four campuses in Cameron Parrish, all grade levels met for school just two days a week on the one surviving campus. Four campuses were able to reopen for the 2006-2007 school year. -
Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike flooded nearly every square inch of coastline in Cameron Parish. The area was still recovering from the devestation of Hurricane Rita so this addition setback was too much for some residents who had already survived Audrey and Rita. Stricter guidelines for rebuilding and the lack of help from FEMA caused many residents to start a new life elsewhere. -
FEMA's refusal to help
Many Cameron residents can not go home because FEMA rhas efused to place mobile homes in areas destroyed by Hurricane Ike. A waiver was finally granted to place some homes, but FEMA will not help rebuild police stations, libraries and schools. Over 180 FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Rita were destroyed in Hurricane Ike. -
2010 Census
The 2010 census reports just 406 residents in Cameron, Louisiana. Over 1,000 people decided not to return and rebuild after the devestation of Hurricanes Rita and Ike. -
First Baptist Church reopens
It took over 5 years to raise the money to rebuild the church. Delays were also attributed to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008. -
OEP instant alerts
The Cameron Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness asked residents to sign up for FirstCall Emergency Notification Service that can send emergency messages to landlines or by email and text message. -
Cameron holds tsunami drills
A true tsunami would be a rare event on the Gulf Coast, but the people of Cameron are prepared. The drill evaluated tsunami response plans and tested coordination with local emergency teams.
