Cameron Parish Transformed: From Hurricane Devastation to Global Energy Hub

Cameron Parish in Louisiana was left devastated by Hurricane Rita in 2005, but nearly two decades later, it's at the heart of America's liquefied natural gas (LNG) boom. The parish has emerged as one of the world's most important LNG export hubs, a turnaround that residents once thought impossible.

The storm destroyed or severely damaged more than 90% of homes in the parish, leaving behind an estimated $2.75 billion repair bill. Today, Michael Fewell, who was 16 when Rita struck, serves as president of Cameron Parish's elected governing council and says the place that once struggled to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in its history is preparing for a dramatically different future.

The catalyst behind the parish's revival is liquefied natural gas. Built on marshland where cattle once grazed, Sabine Pass, the world's largest LNG export terminal, began shipping cargoes overseas in 2016. Cameron Parish already hosts two other LNG terminals, while a fourth, the $13 billion Commonwealth LNG project, is under construction and expected to begin operations by 2030.

The boom reflects a broader shift in the global energy market. A decade ago, the United States exported very little LNG. Today, it's the world's largest exporter, with Louisiana accounting for around 60% of US LNG shipments and Cameron Parish handling roughly two-thirds of the state's exports.