By Staff | on August 10, 2020

(Before and After, image courtesy of Wikicommons, Public Domain.)

It was just 164 years ago today, August 10, 1856 when the Last Island Hurricane struck off the coast of Louisiana, causing widespread damage and death. Also known as the Great Storm of 1856, this hurricane has no official name, as it was not until 1953 that hurricanes were so identified. Hard to predict, except for the season, many lives were lost before it even made landfall. Several ships out to sea were tossed about the Gulf like toy boats as estimated 150 mph winds wrecked anything in its path.

Last Island, Louisiana was dead center in the hurricanes destructive path. The storm surge, some 12 feet high, obliterated the island, all structures, hotels, casinos, and homes were washed out to sea. Last Island was some 25 miles long, but after the power of the storm surge, the geography was so drastically altered, that the remnants are now split into five small islands with little vegetation. Now referred to as the Isles Dernieres, the five smaller islands are, East, Trinity, Whiskey, Raccoon, and Wine. In all, the storm claimed the lives of more than 200 people. With rivers swollen all over the Gulf Coast, buildings damaged or wiped out, its something to consider, the power of Mother Nature throughout history.

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This Day In History, August 10th, 2020 - "Last Island Hurricane" - Signals AZ