Holly Beach, Louisiana

History

Holly Beach started appearing on official DOTD maps in 1948.

In September 2005 Hurricane Rita destroyed a made landfall in Cameron Parish. As a result Holly beach had storm surge between 10-15 ft. storm surge devastating the city. This was the second time Holly Beach was devastated by a hurricane; in 1957 Hurricane Audrey smashed ashore with a 12 foot storm surge. As a result several houses were modified so they were taller.

As of 2006 residents were required to sign a waiver which allows them to dwell there, despite the lack of a functioning sewer system which is a concern to the state’s department of health. It became common to see portable toilets on the community’s road sides. For new structures in Cameron Parish, the new building codes apply. In nearby Cameron, according to the parish officials, the coastal buildings built before the late 1980s that had less than fifty percent damage may retain the same pre-Rita elevation.

It was feared that these strict building codes, along with the high insurance costs, would keep many of the original locals from returning and rebuilding, and that the southern part of the parish would end up with temporary trailer type housing indefinitely. Within Holly Beach, there are several permanent structures being built, with pier elevations complying with building codes.

In September 2008, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike reflooded the area.

Hurricane Laura passed through Holly Beach in 2020.

Geography

Holly Beach is located 10 miles west of Cameron and 12 miles east of Johnson Bayou.

Climate

Holly Beach has a humid subtropical climate.

Culture

In 1991, the town was the subject of the swamp pop song "(Holly Beach) Under the Boardwalk" by Kenny Tibbs (Kenny Thibodeaux) and The Jokers, released on Jin Records. In a parody of the 1960s hit "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters, the lyrics explain that cajun vacationers "ain't got no boardwalk, just got seaweed, but we always pass a real good time at Holly Beach."

The cultural importance of Holly Beach—at one time a social and musical hub for vacationing Cajuns—is documented in at least two classic Cajun French songs, "La Valse de Holly Beach" ("The Holly Beach Waltz") by Nathan Abshire, and "Laisse les Bons Temps Rouler" ("Let the Good Times Roll") by Lawrence Walker. The latter song includes the lyric, "Je t'ai trouvé dans les grandes meches / Et j't'ai ramené à Holly Beach / Les maringouins sont après manger / Mais laisse les bons temps rouler" ("I found you in the big marshes / And I brought you to Holly Beach / The mosquitoes are biting / But let the good times roll").

References

References

1. {{GNIS. 543303
2. link Highway mapping)
3. (2009). "Hurricane Rita and the destruction of Holly Beach, Louisiana: Why the chenier plain is vulnerable to storms". Special Paper of the Geological Society of America.
4. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Hurricane Rita 2005".
5. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Hurricane Audrey 1957".
6. (2020-08-27). "The Latest: Laura still a hurricane 170 miles after landfall". [[Minneapolis Star-Tribune]].
7. Blanchard, Kevin. (2006-04-16). "Future of 'Cajun Riviera' uncertain". [[The Advocate (Louisiana).
8. Tutwiler, Mary. (2005-10-26). "Coastal Construction". [[The Independent Weekly]].
9. Thevenot, Brian. (2006-06-19). "Cameron Parish residents make their own way". [[The Times Picayune]].
10. Chute, Nate. (2020-08-26). "See storm surge in Holly Beach, Louisiana as Hurricane Laura nears landfall". [[Lafayette Daily Advertiser]].