Island Recreation
By Cayden Stump, staff writer Tournament fishing in Grand Isle draws people from all over the country. The island is even home to what one resident refers to as “the Superbowl of sport fishing” – the Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. In Louisiana, fishing tournaments are often called rodeos. These range from small family-oriented events to large tournaments covered by national networks. No matter the size of the event, increasing tourism and giving back to the community are some of Grand Isle’s goals when hosting fishing tournaments. One major event that takes place every April is the Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, which focuses on offshore fishing, whereas smaller events are typically fished in inshore waterways. This event is the first of 12 that take place along the Gulf and East coasts of the United States. “This is covered by CBS Sports Network, where they will actually be broadcasting it on TV,” says Lan Tivet, spokesperson for the Hurricane Hole, a popular marina and tourist destination in Grand Isle. “It’s gonna be known as the Superbowl of sports fishing. If you enter any of those 12 tournaments and you enter the sports championship, you can essentially win $1,000,000 worth of cryptocurrency.” According to Tivet, The Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is referred to as the “Superbowl of Fishing” because there are two sides: the Gulf coast and the East Coast. They compete, and whoever has the most points at the end wins. The Billfish Classic is not the only tournament on Grand Isle. Dr. Lee Grafton of Thibodaux is an avid fisherman who regularly participates in rodeos. One of Grafton’s favorite rodeos to fish was started by a friend whose three-year-old son drowned in a swimming pool. “He always wore blue boots,” Grafton says. “So they started this Blue Boot Rodeo, and it’s all about safety and life jackets and saving lives and preventing drowning.” “He always wore blue boots, so they started this Blue Boot Rodeo, and it’s all about safety and life jackets and saving lives and preventing drowning.” — Dr. Lee Grafton “They do the rodeo and then they donate all the money towards throwable rings on the beach, and every kid gets a life jacket that signs up, so it’s really a neat rodeo that has gained a lot of popularity.” Family-oriented events like Blue Boot are meant to be informal and fun, and their aim is to help the community raise awareness and gain funds through charitable acts. Tournament fishing is not the only fishing that happens on Grand Isle. The island is also known for some great recreational fishing, says Ryan Perque, a resident of Thibodaux who owns a camp in Grand Isle. Perque says he goes to Grand Isle as often as he can. “Grand Isle is a special place for me and my family and my friends because there’s so many options there,” he says. From fishing to lying on the beach and having a few cold ones with friends and family, Perque says, “It is a special place to be and makes you want to keep on going back.” https://youtu.be/40iYVyhci4k 2022 grand isle Fishing Tournaments April 18 – 23 May 26 – 29 June 8 – 11 June 23 – 25 June 25 – 26 July 7 – 9 July 28 – 29 August 27 September 23 – 24 October 9 – 10
Hurricane Ida
By Alaina Pitre, staff writer Being on the front lines of the Gulf of Mexico, hurricane season is especially busy for Grand Isle with evacuation almost always mandatory. While many hurricanes have impacted the island, Category 4 Hurricane Ida was one of the worst to hit Louisiana’s coast and directly hit Grand Isle. The storm made landfall August 29, 2021, with 150 mph winds and storm surges reaching over 10 feet, according to the National Hurricane Center. About 75 people stayed on the island to ride out the storm. “All hell broke loose – I have never been in a war setting but that is what it felt like,” says Jimbo Adams, a Grand Isle resident who rode out the storm at the island’s fire station. “I have never seen anything like it and I hope I don’t again – it was total destruction.” “All hell broke loose – I have never been in a war setting but that is what it felt like… it was total destruction.”Jimbo Adams, resident Under a mandatory evacuation, most residents left. “We were rushed, Ida was supposed to make landfall Monday or Tuesday, instead it made landfall Sunday,” says Darleen Taylor, who evacuated to Addis, Louisiana, with her husband and five pets. “We had to hurry.” And when people were allowed to return, the journey was difficult and the island wasn’t the same. Taylor says her family couldn’t come home, “We had to stay in Addis for four months.” Her home was deemed unlivable and so she and her husband and pets are living in a FEMA trailer while making repairs to their home. While Adams says a lot of residents have not come back to the island, many have and are working to repair the island. To help, several Grand Isle-based non-profit organizations have secured grants and other aid. “People keep asking me what is the future and I really don’t know,” says Bob Stewart, vice president of the nonprofit Friends of Grand Isle. “It will come back. It may take a while, but we are doing everything we can.” https://gardevoirci.nicholls.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ida-animation.mp4 storm stories
Grand Isle’s Hurricane History
grand isle hurricanes 1855-present By Alaina Pitre, staff writer As a barrier island, many storms have hit Grand Isle. The following are a list of major hurricanes, categories 3-5, that have affected the island since 1855. 1855 Category 3 Unnamed Winds: 125mph 1856 Category 4 Last Island hurricane or Great Storm of 1865 Winds: 150 mphFatalities: 200 1860 Category 4 Unnamed Winds: 150 mphFatalities: 47Damage: $250,000+ 1893 Category 4 Cheniere Caminada hurricane or Great October storm Winds: 130 mphFatalities: estimated 2,000Damage: $5 million 1909 Category 3 Unnamed Winds: 120 mphFatalities: 400+Damage: $11 million 1919 Category 3 Unnamed Winds: 100 mphFatalites: 34Damage: $12.5 million 1926 Category 3 Unnamed Winds: 115 mphFatalities: 25Damage: $6 million 1964 Category 4 Hilda Winds: 140 mphFatalities: 38Damage: $126 Million 1965 Category 4 Betsy Winds: 140Fatalities: 81Damage: $1.42 billion 1974 Category 4 Carmen Winds: 150 mphFatalities: “several”Damage: $162 million 1985 Category 2 Elena Winds: 125 mphFatalities: 8Damage: $1.3 billion 1992 Category 5 Andrew Winds: 175 mphFatalities: 65Damage: $27.3 billion 2005 Category 5 Katrina Winds: 175 mphFatalities: 1,836Damage: $125 billion 2008 Category 4 Gustav Winds: 155 mphFatalities: 122 direct, 41 indirectDamage: $8.31 billion 2020 Category 4 Laura Winds: 150 mphFatalities: 47 direct, 34 indirectDamage: $19.1 billion+ 2021 Category 4 Ida Winds: 150 mphFatalities: 107Damage: $75.25 billion
Our Lady of the Isle
By Paul Gagneaux, staff writer Grand Isle residents say it is faith in the Lord despite continued challenges that keeps Our Lady of the Isle’s church community strong. However, Hurricane Ida left many members indefinitely displaced, leaving a lasting impact on this community of faith. “It’s sad to say that there are people who can’t and probably never will come back,” says Carroll Allemand, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Isle. “It’s sad to say that there are people who can’t and probably never will come back.” — Carroll Allemand, parishioner While the Catholic community of Grand Isle remains lively, Allemand says the number of people attending masses is much lower than it was before the hurricane. However, Ida is not solely to blame. Grand Isle’s faith community has overcome incredible challenges in its 109 years from the COVID-19 pandemic to Hurricane Ida’s devastation. The church was built in 1913 after the previous chapel was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1893. Though the Kate Chopin historical site names the Great Storm one of the worst recorded hurricanes in Louisiana’s history, Hurricane Ida was more effective at wounding a community still hurting from a pandemic. “People can’t rebuild because they can’t afford it,” says island resident Helen Tabor. “Their insurance does not provide enough for them.” Another island local, Liz Watkin, says the coronavirus pandemic diminished the community’s numbers even before Hurricane Ida did. “It’s dwindled a lot since Covid-19,” she says. “A lot of people couldn’t go, and a lot of people haven’t come back since. I think they got out of the habit of going to church.” Kristie L. Domangue, one of the church’s office workers, says Our Lady of the Isle has lost about 20 members of its congregation due to Ida. Though attendance has decreased since the storm, many still faithfully attend Mass. As the church’s repairs progress, Masses continue to take place at their regularly scheduled times. Our Lady of the Isle’s current priest, Fr. Mark Toups was assigned to the church in July of 2020. After taking some time away, he returned to Grand Isle shortly after Hurricane Ida. Members of the church say they love Fr. Mark and speak nothing but praises of him. “I think if we could get people back here, and he stays, we could bring people back – Father Mark definitely brings people,” Watkins says. The parishioners, clergy members and employees of Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church say they have faith that their community is still strong despite a loss of members, and they believe their faith is more than enough to make up for what has been lost – both in Grand Isle and within the church community.
An Island Education
By JOnathan Eastwood, features editor As the island’s only school, Grand Isle School serves not only to educate its students, but also as an example of the community’s deep-rooted culture and traditions. “Grand Isle School is so much [a] part of the community that it’s almost seamless,” says Principal Christine Templet. “Grand Isle School is so much [a] part of the community that it’s almost seamless.” — Principal Christine Templet Grand Isle School’s staff returned to work on March 15, and students returned for classes on March 17 for the first time since Hurricane Ida hit August 29, 2021. The school has been operating virtually since October 1. Students say they are excited to return to the routine and social aspects of face-to-face education, and many say they prefer in-person classes to virtual learning. “It’s easier for me to watch and follow along [in person] than going onto a different screen and going back and forth,” says senior Emma English. Emma English prefers being at school not only for a better learning experience but also for the interactions she has with her classmates. Since Grand Isle School is fairly small – 40-50 students – the students are all friendly with one another. “I’m not scared to go up and ask someone – one of my classmates – for help, or just to talk to someone,” she says. Much like the close relationship among students, Grand Isle residents have a culture of strong bonds to their land and fellow inhabitants. Julie English, a social studies and English-language arts teacher, says students whose families lost their homes in the storm are set on returning to the island as soon as possible. “I believe that they will come back when there’s an island to come back to,” Julie English says. Grand Isle School’s sports program, specifically basketball, is yet another aspect that connects the school’s culture to the island’s. Many of the island’s residents frequent basketball games, which have become a staple of Grand Isle culture. However, due to Hurricane Ida, basketball was discontinued for the remainder of the school year, allowing students to focus more on their studies. “I’m sure basketball season was sorely missed,” Julie English says. The school opened in the early 1940s, and had its first graduating class in 1947. Photos of each year’s graduates line the cafeteria walls. The school teaches all grade levels, from Pre-K through 12 grade. Certain graduates have such a strong connection to the school that they returned to work there as adults. Templet counted six current staff members who are former Grand Isle School students. Templet has been principal for the past four years. She says she found it easy to take over the role because of the staff’s enthusiastic adherence to tradition, as well as their willingness to learn. “They had a lot of traditions – a lot of excellent routines – that we adopted,” Templet says. “The teachers are eager to learn and eager to try new things to improve their practice.” The culture of unity and perseverance that permeates the school and the entire island prepares the residents to stand together, regardless of the circumstances, she says. “They’re very resilient – the entire community is resilient.”
Island Weddings
By VIctoria Savoy, photo editor Beaches have always been a popular destination for weddings, and Grand Isle’s beaches are no different. Many couples choose to have their weddings in Grand Isle because of their deep-rooted connections to the island. “The actual wedding was like out of a book,” Trahan says. “The sun was perfect, the clouds just right – it was a perfect day.” In addition to the beach, community center, and church, the Hurricane Hole is one of the many wedding venues on the island. “We are meant to do weddings on the island,” says Lan Tivet, Hurricane Hole Operations Coordinator and longtime Grand Isle resident. Tivet believes people are drawn to Grand Isle for weddings because of their strong emotional connections to the island. “You can go to Florida, you can go to all these other places, but when you have a connection to this place, it truly means something,” Tivet says. “I can’t wait for the island to be all cleaned up and rebuilt. Weddings on Grand Isle’s beach will continue to give happy couples a beautiful backdrop that they will always hold dear to their hearts.” — Donna Price Around three to five weddings per year are held on the island, but due to hurricanes – most recently Hurricane Ida – the number of weddings on the island has decreased. “We had a wedding scheduled for October of last year, and the storm hit, and they canceled it – they completely canceled it because of the storm,” Tivet says. Samantha White Trahan, who got married on the island, shared that she was devastated after seeing the damage Ida caused. She chose to have her wedding on Grand Isle because of her emotional attachment to the island. “We both grew up in Chauvin, Louisiana, and visited Grand Isle as kids,” Trahan says. “We have even brought our kids numerous times. Our kids love the beach, and so do we.” She says she is saddened by the fact that her kids will not be able to see her wedding spot the way she had. Donna Price from Unique Wedding Designs is a longtime wedding decorator who says that for her, Grand Isle is a piece of paradise. She says she has always wanted to be a part of beach weddings and has decorated two Grand Isle weddings so far. “Both are my favorite and will always be dear to my heart,” Price says. As for the future of weddings in Grand Isle, Price says she thinks it is bright. “I can’t wait for the island to be all cleaned up and rebuilt,” Price says. “It will be better than before.” “Weddings on Grand Isle’s beach will continue to give happy couples a beautiful backdrop that they will always hold dear to their hearts.”
Island Visitors
By Alexis Casnave, staff writer Grand Isle has been a vacationer’s choice for years. While the island is still recovering after Hurricane Ida, the local businesses are eager for vacationers to return. “We have a lot of people calling and they’re wanting to come back,” says Louise Lafont, head of Grand Isle’s tourist center. Though Lafont says she is eager for tourists to return, she wants them to be aware of the Grand Isle they will be returning to. Debris still lines the sides of the roads, and homes are still missing roofs. Since the storm, Grand Isle State park has housed residents living in state-issued trailers, so it is currently closed to the public. However, visitors can still access the island’s main attraction: Grand Isle Beach, where people can swim, fish and relax. Beginning in May, the island will resume hosting its annual events, such as the Tarpon Rodeo – one of Grand Isle’s biggest tourist attractions, attracting more than 20,000 people a year. For this year’s rodeo July 28 through July 30, Lafont says she will be happy to have even 10,000 people attend. “People are upset all over Louisiana that we all got beat up for Ida, so they’re all ready to do something fun,” says Lafont. “It just brings so many people in.” Rental houses on the island are slowly making their way back into business and preparing for future reservations. Pat Landry, owner of Landry’s House Bed and Breakfast, says his business is gradually returning to normal. “Business is coming up, and we’ve got people ready to come back,” Landry says. “Tourists are interested in coming back for this summer, and I’ve got about 10 to 12 reservations so far.” A few of Landry’s reservations are for visitors attending the Migratory Bird festival. The festival, which usually lasts two to three days, will only last one day this year on Saturday, April 23. The Starfish, a restaurant known for its shrimp po-boys and seafood platters, reopened in January after closing its doors for several months post-Ida. “Our kitchen is slowly getting back to normal but we’re still unable to do breakfast, which is something a lot of people like to come for,” says restaurant manager Michele Theriot. Though Grand Isle is far from back to normal, the community has not stopped welcoming tourists back to the island, Lafont says. “We want to be here, we love this place, and it helps when the tourists invest here because they love it also.” “We want to be here, we love this place, and it helps when the tourists invest here because they love it also.” — Louise Lafont
Island Flora & Fauna
by Brittany Chaisson, staff designer
The Island’s Environment
by Alexis Casnave, staff writer While many people enjoy Grand Isle’s natural beauty, it doesn’t exist without threats from factors such as storm damage. The community of Grand Isle works diligently year-round to ensure the island remains alive and well. “The work being done on Grand Isle is through the efforts of the town, the Garden Club, and the Nature Conservancy doing their best to restore the natural side of the island as people are rebuilding their homes and their businesses,” says Jean Landry, Program Manager at the Nature Conservancy in Grand Isle Landry and other Conservancy team members work together to maintain the island and preserve native plants such as the iris. Louisiana Irises have become scarce due to road and building developments around the state. The flowers have been rescued from areas in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish and moved to Grand Isle, where they flourish due to the island’s climate. Due to its water-and-wetland-cleaning properties and ability to absorb toxins, the iris is significant to the ecology of the island. Landry says there are around 2,000 irises planted throughout Grand Isle. While irises play an important role in Grand Isle’s ecology, they do not act alone. The island’s oak trees are also integral facets of its ecosystem. “When people go for the beach, they’re sometimes missing the real ecological gem of the island, which is the Cheniere Forest,” says Gary LaFleur, associate professor of biology and director of Nicholls State University’s Center for Bayou Studies. “When people go for the beach, they’re sometimes missing the real ecological gem of the island, which is the Cheniere Forest.” — Gary LaFleur The word “cheniere” derives from the French term meaning “full of oaks.” The Cheniere Forest is home to oak trees up to 200 years old. These trees are instrumental in the survival of Grand Isle and its wildlife. Birds exhausted from migrating over the Gulf of Mexico use oak trees as temporary shelter. The oaks also provide shelter for other wildlife like bobcats, frogs, land crabs and box turtles. The uprooting of over 20 oak trees since Hurricane Ida leaves room for potential invasive plants like Chinese tallow trees and air potatoes to grow in their places. “These forests are adapted for a bad hurricane every ten years, but they are not adapted for a bad hurricane every year,” says Dr. Lafleur. If the frequency of hurricanes continues to increase, it could hurt the chances of survival for the oaks and the ecology surrounding them. Marine debris also poses a threat to sea life as trash is mistaken for food, endangering animals like seabirds and turtles. A more recent environmental issue due to Hurricane Ida is the clogging of sewage and drainage systems. Sand and debris filled and clogged drains, resulting in standing water on the roads. This has affected 97 streets throughout the island, and residents attempting to keep the sand that has blown onto their property prolongs the issue. “Last week we dug out a drainage ditch and the owners had a lot of excess sand on their property, so when we had hard rainfall, all the sand we dug out washed back into the drainage ditch so we now have to dig out again,” says Christopher Hernandez, Grand Isle’s Town Supervisor of Highways. Hernandez says he expects the process to take six months to a year to complete due to a shortage of employees and equipment. “We ask everyone to please be patient, and we will get to it one way or the other,” says Hernandez. “We will soon have several other crews joining to help.” While the environment in Grand Isle has taken a beating over the years, hundreds of people continue to contribute to the preservation of its natural beauty. Landry says, “It’s the green space that we need so we can get away from daily pressures and just enjoy the beauty of nature.” flora & fauna grand isle See more
Island Storms in the Media
Gathered by Victoria Savoy, photo editor Hurricane Ida is not the first, nor will it be the last storm to hit Grand Isle. As a barrier island, Grand Isle has been the target of many storms through the years. National and local media have covered these storms, leaving a record to tell the story of Grand Isle’s inseparable history with storms. Hurricane Ida Past Hurricanes Hurricane Ida All Local National NBC The Guardian Fox 8 WWL TV Good Morning America CNN WDSU CNN USA Today Nola.com WALA TV WDSU Daily Advertiser Houma Today WDSU Houma Today The Advocate Previous Storms October 6, 1893 September 22, 1909 August 17, 1915 September 25, 1956 September 25, 1956 October 2, 1956 September 13, 1965 September 7, 1974 September 8, 1974 August 8, 1984 July 19, 1997 September 20, 1998 September 17, 2005 September 28, 2005 November 11, 2005