In the wake of Hurricane Rita's powerful surge tide in September, 2005, the Parish Seat of Cameron, Louisiana was virtually destroyed. Scores of homes and buildings were either gutted or washed away. Although some structures were left standing, nearly all were totally gutted. Power distribution and other utilities were wiped out.  Fortunately, due to a timely evacuation, there was no loss of human life. Cameron was a major Gulf of Mexico port for the offshore petroleum industry.

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