The Great Storm of 1983
In October of 1983, a hurricane tore across Grand Isle, a 15 to 16 foot storm surge devastating the town of Cheniere Caminada on the peninsula which leads to Grand Isle. This storm killed over 700 people in the area (and approx. 2000 nationwide) and the survivors moved north to settle along Bayou Lafouche, and in Marrerro and Westwego across Barataria Bay. The church bell was said to have disappeared after the storm, only to be found several years later in a tomb in the town of Westwego.This October 1893 storm remains the second deadliest hurricane in American history.
Links of varying usefulness:
- The legend of the stolen church bell
- Department of the Interior illustrated report
- 1983hurricane.com
- Buy the historical account at Amazon
- Check out the self published novel