Hurricane Katrina made its official landfall in Louisiana in Buras in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on August 29, 2005. Buras experienced the full force of the storm, with catastrophic winds and storm surge leading to extensive damage. This area marked the first point of impact for one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history.
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In November 2006, Jeré Longman of The New York Times wrote that "almost no evidence of recovery exist[ed]" in the post-Hurricane Katrina period.[5] In December 2007, Longman reported that there was still "little sign of recovery" in Buras.[6] The town was founded in the 1840s; 20 years later, it was the site of Civil War battles at Forts Jackson and St. Philip. Today, the Buras area is known for hauling in much of the state's oysters.
Buras CDP, Louisiana – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
In the pre-Katrina period (before August 29, 2005) Buras had about 30-40 Cambodian shrimpers, presenting the area's large Asian American population. In the post-Hurricane period (after August 29, 2005) Brenda Kap, quoted in The New York Times, stated most of them had returned.[10] At the 2020 United States census, its Asian population was 344, making them the second-largest racial and ethnic group in the CDP; non-Hispanic and Latino whites made up 471 persons total, and Black and African Americans were the third largest group.[9]
Prior to 2005, Buras Middle School (grades 6–8) and Buras High School (grades PK-5 and 9–12) served the community,[14][15] but Hurricane Katrina damaged the buildings.[16] In the immediate post-Katrina period no new campuses opened in Buras, leading some residents to feel that the community may further erode.[17] The permanent school building of South Plaquemines High was established on the site of the former Buras Middle School, while faculty residences were placed on the property of the former Buras High School.[16]
^"2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Empire CDP, LA"(PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 2 (PDF p. 3/3). Retrieved January 14, 2024. - Compare to the school's entire postal address. "Contact". South Plaquemines High School. Retrieved January 14, 2024. Address 34121 Hwy 23 Buras, LA 70041 - While the address states "Buras, LA", the school is physically in the Empire CDP.
^"Buras Middle School." Plaquemines Parish School Board. March 22, 2004. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
^"Buras High School." Plaquemines Parish School Board. March 22, 2004. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.