Orange Beach

Alabama is a long state, the southern part of which touches the Gulf of Mexico. Orange Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Alabama. The beautiful white beach attracts many people especially in summer and there are a lot of hotels. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan hit the beach on September 16, 2004. It destroyed the beautiful city.

When I visit there in November 2004, there were almost no people except workers to repair buildings. Many windows of hotels were broken and there were many sand accumulated along streets.

In November 2005, the hotels were repaired and there were people in the beach. I hope that a big hurricane will not hit again.

建物-2004 Building on the Beach 2004

The building got severe damage. The beach in front of it lost a lot of sand and utility poles fell over. It was in the evening near sunset when I took the picture. The dark sky made the beach more painful.

2004/11

建物-2006 Building on the Beach 2006

The building looks totally different from the one in the above picture. The shape of the building was the same as before, but the white painting was very nice.

2006/11

砂浜-2004 Sand Beach 2004

The houses on the beach lost sand under their foundations and they inclined. They were probably lucky not to be moved offshore.

2004/11

砂浜-2006 Sand Beach 2006

I thought that the houses might be removed due to the severe damage, but the house with the red roof was in the same place.

2006/11

Orange Beach, Alabama