Holly Beach, Louisiana

Geobox Settlement
name = Holly Beach
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Unincorporated community

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image_size =
image_caption = Holly Beach in 1998


flag_size =
symbol =
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symbol_type =
nickname = Cajun Riviera
motto =
country = United States
state = Louisiana
region = Cameron
region_type = Parish
area_imperial =
area_land_imperial =
area_water_imperial =
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 29
lat_m = 46
lat_s = 15
lat_NS = N
long_d = 93
long_m = 27
long_s = 34
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 7
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of =
population =
population_density_imperial =
population_density_round = 1
government =
established_type =
established =
leader =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 337
area_code_type =
code2_type =
code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_size =
map_caption = Location of Holly Beach in Louisiana
map_locator = Louisiana
map1 = Map of USA LA.svg
map1_caption = Location of Louisiana in the United States
website =

Holly Beach ( _fr. Plage-d'Houx), also known as the "Cajun Riviera" ( _fr. La Rivière Acadienne), is an coastal community in unincorporated Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States.Known for crabbing and a drive on the beach, this small Southwest Louisiana community mainly consisted of beach-front cabins called "camps" which, due to the threat of hurricanes, were "built-to-be-rebuilt" by its residents.

History

In September 2005 Hurricane Rita completely leveled the small beach town. Nothing was left but the water tower. This was the second time Holly Beach was levelled by a hurricane; Hurricane Audrey in 1957 also levelled it with a 12 foot storm surge.

A year after the devastation of Hurricane Rita, Holly Beach was slowly coming back to life, with some residents living in mobile homes set up on-site. Many former residents believe the government officials are implementing such stringent building codes that it's now nearly impossible to rebuild. Many of these dwellings are parked under canopy type structures for shade. The new telephone poles are set up carrying electricity, but are lined up ominously in the familiar rows, revealing the numerous empty lots. The current residents must 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. [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/2641146.html 2theadvocate.com | Acadiana | Future of 'Cajun Riviera' uncertain — Baton Rouge, LA ] ]

It is common to see portable toilets on the community’s road sides, which are well maintained for the few locals and visitors alike. 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. [ [http://www.theind.com/news2.asp?CID=-678326738 TheInd.com - News | Business | Culture - Weekly - Lafayette LA ] ] It was estimated that some twenty-percent of these structures met the criteria and wouldn’t have to have an elevation increase. But just how stringent the new building codes in Cameron and the surrounding parish will be enforced will be determined by surveyors using FEMA flood maps.

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. [ [http://www.nola.com/newslogs/topnews/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_topnews/archives/2006_06_19.html NOLA.com: Top News from NOLA.com ] ] Within Holly Beach, there are several permanent structures being built, with pier elevations complying with building codes. These structures are a testament to those determined residents who will not give up their beachfront living to any force of nature, or any other opposition that is put between them and their "Cajun Riviera".

Population prior to Rita: Approximately 300Fact|date=September 2008

Geography

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

Culture

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

References

External links

* [http://blog.realcajunrecipes.com/index.php?s=holly+beach Numerous Holly Beach posts, many including video and pictures, at "maw-maw and dem's cajun blog."]