Historical Flavor: Tragedy of the Isle Derniere Hurricane
Sandra Ardoin @SandraArdoin
We’re smack-dab in hurricane season and, of course, this month marks twelve years since Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Wow! It doesn’t seem so long ago.
But Katrina wasn’t the only hurricane to wreak havoc on that area of the country. In 1856, the first recorded Category 4 hurricane hit a resort island off the coast of Louisiana, killing half the population on the Isle Derniere and prompting its eventual desertion. Most of those who survived only did so because they took refuge on a steamer. Odd to think a steamer would provide protection from such a storm, isn’t it?
Over the decades, the island has become four separate land masses. This article from Smithsonian Magazine contains some interesting information on the tragedy, as well as the opportunity to get a historical writer’s creative juices flowing. 😉
Below is a short video from the Natchez National Historical Park with more information.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvxHkxrNwkA&w=560&h=315]
Have you ever experienced a hurricane?
Sandra Ardoin
As an author of heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.
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mimionlife
I was born in Hampton VA and we experienced numerous storms and hurricanes. The aftermath was always a mess.
Sandra Ardoin
We’re pretty far inland in NC, but we can get some of those messy aftermaths, too, Melissa.