The once-destroyed community that's now a global energy giant
Michael Fewell points out that his corner of Louisiana has seen a remarkable improvement in its fortunes. Back in 2005, Hurricane Rita ripped through the
Michael Fewell points out that his corner of Louisiana has seen a remarkable improvement in its fortunes. Back in 2005, Hurricane Rita ripped through the coastal county of Cameron Parish, destroying or badly damaging more than 90% of homes, with a repair bill of $2.75bn (£2bn).
"It looked like a war zone," says Fewell, who was 16 at the time. He spent days driving his truck around towns, collecting dead cattle flung into people's homes and lining the roads. Between stops, he watched Guard helicopters fly in vital drinking water.
"They were, by far, some of the darkest days of my life." Fast forward to today, and Fewell is now president of the elected council that runs the county. And he says that Cameron Parish, population approximately 4,700, is on course to become one of the wealthiest counties in the region.
"We are going to have more money than we need." It is all down to the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The BriefWire