"We started digging privies. There are a lot of people that are still there and OK, sitting on the porch, waving at us, Sheriff Lopinto said. Images show full neighborhoods, where green yards and roads were before the storm, now submerged under water. John Bel Edwards said no major levees failed during Ida, thanks to a $14 billion hurricane risk-reduction system that was built in the greater New Orleans area following Katrina in 2005. "I opened my hand and there is a little gold coin in my hand. And the odd thing is, these sudden fortunes may never have come to light had it not been for the catastrophe called Katrina. What do you do? Coastal areas have been particularly badly hit, including the small towns of Jean Lafitte, Barataria, and lower Lafitte. I still have no idea if it was really a JL marker, or if so, it treasure was ever found. Tropical storms, hurricanes and flooded rivers can be incredibly destructive, but they also help uncover memories from the past. The day before meeting with Wadell, Mears unearthed a first-place gold medal from the Mechanics and Agricultural Fair of New Orleans that was held in 1859. He's got hunting for long-lost coins, jewels and artifacts from Spanish shipwrecks down to a science. Claiborne, and Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 Jean Lafitte was born in France in 1780. In Jean Lafitte, a village of about 2,000 people, about 400 residents initially refused the mandatory evacuation order, according to the sheriff. Treasure hunters seize an opportunity to get an even better chance of finding coins, jewels and artifacts from Spanish shipwrecks from the 1700s. As of Tuesday, rescues were still being made with Louisiana's National Guard reporting that personnel have rescued 359 citizens and 55 pets either by high-water vehicles, by boats or by air during the aftermath from Hurricane Ida. after Hurricane Ida. The tree has been dated at better than 325 years old. He told The New York Times he might have his team drop radios by helicopter so deputies on the isle could communicate. The Louisiana town of Jean Lafitte has been "totally devastated" by Hurricane Ida, with rescuers unable to reach hundreds of stranded residents after a vehicle wiped out a bridge, Mayor Tim Kerner . Articles, Great Discoveries: Metal Detectorist Finds 14th-Century Coin, 300-Year-Old Hairpin Beneath Farmland, The Market for Queen Elizabeth Collectibles Soars, Money as Marketing Material: Vintage Bank Note Ads. (Photo by Sophia Germer, . The California couple, who have not been identified, spotted the edge of an old can on a path they had hiked many times before several months ago. My step father also grew up in East Texas, but in the country on a farm. (AccuWeather / Bill Wadell). Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter. According to Gov. What are you hearing? Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members research needs. New Orleans itself had been bruised but not beaten. Jimmys headed back to Mississippi to claim his shares and personally met with Treasurer Reeves. It seem to be one less treasure for us to find. No one had cellphone service. before Hurricane Ida. Being that it is actually on one of the trails probably used from time to time by Jean Lafitte, legend has it that he buried some gold under its branches. No one had heard from the Nolans since Sunday morning, and now the village, along with much of the southeastern Louisiana bayou area, was underwater. Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies His 16-year-old daughter, Kaylee, has joined him combing the beach. I know this thread is quite old now, but I'm wondering if any other information has been discovered about this? I mean you look at that, it's so accurate," Mears said, referring to AccuWeather MinuteCast, which is a forecast offering that highlights the exact start and end times as well as the intensity of precipitation for precise locations over the next four hours. They've never faced a storm like this before. Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner said the town - 20 miles (32 km) south of New Orleans and outside the city's levee protection system - had suffered "catastrophic" flooding. His dads bank eventually turned the money over to the state. Jimmy says post traumatic stress disorder forced him to quit his job and move back home to Georgia. Sergeant Jason Leorwald said the police department is working to try to make a path to get to those residents and resources to them Sunday night and are opening search and rescue cases as well. Some small towns outside New Orleans were inundated. Images showed streets under water and gardens submerged. (AccuWeather / Bill Wadell). Thanks for talking to me about the situation in Jean Lafitte, which is closer to the coast than New Orleans. Keep in mind, most states dont have the staff come out and find you. SC: I do know that the state had requested help from the National Guard and had activated the entire National Guard and even got help from FEMA resources. Kaylee said. The town is about 20 miles south of New Orleans. The local police chief said at least 400 people had chosen not to leave ahead of the storm - and dozens needed rescuing from attics and rooftops. "There's nobody that writes how to do this," Martinez said. I've heard for years, about a spot along Dickinson Bayou where Lafitte supposedly hid Treasure (very very near a certain Cemetary), Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. That includes the town of Jean Lafitte, as well as Crown Point, lower Lafitte and Barataria, all of south Jefferson Parish, where sustained winds reached up to 70 mph and floodwater was. I'm going by what I'm hearing. Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner said the town - 20 miles (32 km) south of New Orleans and outside the city's levee protection system - had suffered "catastrophic" flooding. And they got some older folks back after that, I spoke back in. The state treasurer says the storm motivated him to start digging through the files to help people. New Orleans went from having a public school system to having a school system . You are using an out of date browser. And the lower communities, I mean, Lafitte, Grand Isle. 2023 BBC. Anyone can read what you share. The other went north later over seas where he was killed during WW2. The concentration is still on search and rescue in Lafitte, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said Tuesday. Hurricane Katrina was among the most destructive storms ever to hit U.S. shores. SC: It's pretty eerie, and I've heard this from a lot of residents here, that this is happening on the 16th anniversary of Katrina SC: Is this worse, given what you're hearing? Hurricane Katrina remains one of the worst hurricanes in U.S. history. Treasure hunter Christian Roper is searching for Jean Lafitte's buried treasure that could be worth over 50 million dollars today - he meets with Rick and Ma. Hurricanes, cold fronts are great," Martinez said. New Orleans, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, as seen in the new documentary Katrina Babies . Huffman is a community of some historical significance, but is hard to define as a town. I love this place built around 1640 . On Whitlow Court, a strip of mobile homes, every truck attempting to drive down the street stirred a wake. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. New Orleans and its hardened storm infrastructure appeared to have held up, though the city had no electricity. The water was out. He sounded exhausted as he rode a parish bus to find some sort of shelter. JavaScript is disabled. As such, the treasure hunter keeps a close eye on the forecast and levee construction projects protecting the Big Easy to plan each expedition. My son is crying. Its been sitting in Mississippis state treasury for yearsits value skyrocketing as Lowes has grown. Thats the way I do, help somebody who really needs help and those children are it. Your credit card or PayPal account will be charged. This is going to be a nightmare. Like so many startled unclaimed property owners, Gordons windfall comes from his dad who kept a secret account. Fast moving floodwaters during the hurricane had many residents fleeing to attics and roofs in their home. Storm-hit New Orleans under curfew amid blackout, In pictures: Hurricane Ida lashes Gulf Coast, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. But the deputies gave the helicopter crew a thumbs up on Monday, Sheriff Lopinto said in an interview with WWL radio. The authorities had rescued more than 70 people in Jean Lafitte and surrounding communities. Im going to have to start all over again. This is a no reserve auction with an opening bid of only $0.99. BRITAINS 17474 Pirate Jean Lafitte New Orleans 1815, Britains 17474 Pirate Jean Lafitte Battle Of New Orleans Americana Serie, 1956 Saga Men's Magazine Feb. Issue Jean Lafitte Pirate, 1972 Crescent City Tri Multi Bronze Mardi Gras Doubloon Jean Lafitte Pir, 1950s - 60s Fifth Bombardment Group 4 Jean Lafitte Pirate Patch, Barzso War Of 1812 (Battle Of New Orleans) Jean Lafitte And American Reg, 1814 Pirate Jean Lafitte Barataria Front Pg Louisiana, *Barzso*+*Conte*Cannon~Pewter*Battle O New Orleans Playset Cap Jean Lafi, 1950's - 60's Fifth Bombardment Group 4" Jean Lafitte Pirate Patch, 1960 Spanish Main By Swank Pirate Jean LaFitte Toby-Style Mug, The Coins Of The Greek And Scythic Kings Of Bactria And India In The Bri, Catalogue Of Chinese Coins From The VIIth Cent. Trapped residents waited for daylight, when rescue boats could make their way through the floodwaters. The parish had received more than 200 calls for rescue since Sunday. hide caption, Aerial image of Jean Lafitte, La. Hurricane Ida had turned the road into a makeshift boat launch, and Mr. Roque was on a mission to find his relatives. TREASURE COAST, Fla. Right after and believe it or not even during hurricanes, there is a group of brave souls who take to the shoreline. I hope that you can help me out. Ida also moved slower than Katrina. The Gulf Coast from Mississippi to Louisiana was left in shambles. It also has references to other lost treasure spots in Texas. 90% Silver! But from what I just got off the phone when I was interrupted earlier, the water's still piling in. And I think, I never seen the list, but I think they got over 400 that stayed. Reporting on health care, criminal justice, the economy and other important issues in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. In searching some old newspapers.found a newspaper article from 1935, a full page on Jean Lafitte. It is an awsome site! hide caption. SC: Thank you so much, Sheriff Rodriguez, I can only imagine what's going through your mind right now, and please stay in touch and keep us updated. Treasure hunters seize an opportunity to get an. But with parts of Louisiana still unreachable, the full extent of the wreckage remained unclear. hide caption. There are many stories about what happened to Lafitte and where he died. MR: We've got, I think from what I understand, I think they've got about 200 National Guard, which is that's great but nobody can do anything right now. Jefferson Parish was hit by Hurricane Ida's winds that reached up to 70 mph and floodwater that reportedly reached between 10 to 12 feet, according to New Orleans Public Radio. before Hurricane Ida. Mears has a personal collection at home and said he shares the rest of the treasures he digs up with local libraries. LaPlace, a town of quiet subdivisions on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River where many evacuees from New Orleans settled after Katrina, saw many of those homes mangled and streets flooded by Ida. When the river levels drop, Mears and his exploration buddy, Susanna French, load up and head out with shovels, a probe and a metal detector. 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I was crying, Juan recalled as he stood on the flooded street, the water lapping over his rubber boots. Lots Of Barbers Listed This Week! Aerial image of Barataria, La. SC: Well, thanks for chatting with us and giving us that update. SC: I understand that this area was under a mandatory evacuation. But that also lured Jonah Martinez to the shore in search of treasure. MR: I'm hearing that they feel like theyre trapped and they understand that nobody can get there, but they are in panic mode and they've got a good right to be. Poking at the can was the first step in uncovering a buried treasure of rare coins estimated to be worth $10 million. Satellite images taken by Maxar on Tuesday shows just how extensive damage is over the Gulf Coast and southern Louisiana. If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please, Relevant Pirate Treasure's of Jean Lafitte An 1837 woodcut of Lafitte, W.C.C. However, since it pointed toward someone else's land, he never did or said anything about it. I'm a descendant of his first mate and so while as a general rule I love history/archeology/treasure hunting, naturally this is the treasure that interests me the most. He's had plenty of success over the years finding some of the millions of dollars worth of Spanish treasures. But I don't think this is going to be a good situation when it's all over. Thank you. LaPlace, La., saw many homes mangled and streets flooded by Ida. Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies This is one 1806 real from the hoard featuring King Charles IV with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a no reserve auction with an opening bid of only $0.99. I'm going by what I'm being told. What do you do? You know, right now, people are in the middle of this emergency and there's really not no answer for it. I have a file 2 in thick on Hendricks lake treasure. The Hix boys from Baytown were featured on Discovery Channel's. In Houma, a small city about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, Craig Adams, 53, had planned to spend Saturday night in his beige trailer, but his daughter begged him at 9 p.m., as the storms arrival was imminent, to seek shelter somewhere sturdier. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. At least one person, an older woman, died in her home, Ms. Lee Sheng said. I can't do nothing. Right now, there's nothing. The booty of gold and silver bullion amounted to 11,509,524 . "I'm shaking because I'm like, 'There's no way!' Even so, Ida terrified him. ", Aerial view of Barataria, La. So does all this have you wondering if you have any long-lost money? Now, more modern equipment was available, and one man used a metal detector and managed to get some interesting readings from the bottom of the lake. Ida traveled about 100 miles inland in the first 12 hours after landfall Sunday, while Katrina moved about 240 miles inland in its first 12 hours after landfall . You must log in or register to reply here. Shane Mears searching for artifacts along the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its never been as bad as it is this time, said Jesse Touro, 62, who was rescued from Jean Lafitte after riding out storms in town for the past 12 years. Ms. Lee Sheng estimated that about 40 people had chosen not to evacuate Grand Isle. Around this time 17 years ago, Hurricane Katrina bore down on New Orleans, and permanently changed . On Monday, he was thankful she had. I can't see what's going on no more. "He grabs it out of the pile and we were just sitting there freaking out.". Some discoveries, like unremarkable parts to an old ship, are disappointing; however, other finds are tough to put a price on, Mears explained to Wadell. Barataria Bay (French: Baie de Barataria), also Barrataria Bay, is a bay of the Gulf of Mexico, about 15 miles (24 km) long and 12 miles (19 km) wide, in southeastern Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish and Plaquemines Parish, United States.It is separated from the gulf by two barrier islands, Grand Isle and Grand Terre.. In the 1950s, the Sabine River and the nearby lake (Hendrick's Lake) experienced a new onslaught of treasure seekers when the story of Laffite's silver was published by the True West magazine. Gordon White is not only a lucky guy, but a truly generous soul. In Jean Lafitte, a village of about 2,000 people, about 400 residents initially refused the mandatory evacuation order, according to the sheriff. hide caption, Aerial view of Barataria, La. The hurricane passed through the area, flattening trees and ripping apart smaller buildings. After gathering strength over the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005, eventually carving a path up the East Coast. Workers pump rainwater off of street after Tropical Storm Nicholas brought heavy rains after Hurricane Ida in Jean Lafitte, La., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. The one I am thinking of was found. (AccuWeather / Bill Wadell). Here ya go Bum, Passed by it again on Tuesday. Houston historian Gary Pinkerton, a Longview native, is fascinated by those treasure hunters and their searches. JEFFERSON PARISH, La. Click below to begin your paid subscription. So his home is a trailer. Galliano, on the Gulf Coast, has also been badly affected. In Mississippi, one in every four people has money waiting for themthats a lot of people who arent checking. But because of the hurricane, he cant get work crews to finish the job. Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies "This still happens on the Treasure Coast. Items Shane Mears has found along the Mississippi River with a metal detector. He started with the company as a kid , fresh from the battlefields of Vietnam. What are you hearing about the situation down there? Never again.. If you see me dirty now, this is what I like," Mears said. It's been, been really, really good, knock on wood. What does it do any good for me to sit back there and drown or not make myself available? Everybody knows that it would be bad. There were reports that its roof had blown off. Mears told Wadell he doesn't by any means hope for a tropical storm or hurricane to impact New Orleans again, but if such a storm does hit, he expects floodwaters to resurface more artifacts to be discovered. While at my favorite used book store some months ago I stumbled across a copy of a book that I read as a kid. Keep in mind that the Lake was not there it there would be a river in its place. We did rescue missions all today, Sheriff Lopinto said. But after about 14 years working at Lowes, he was battling serious depression. The feature is available in the free AccuWeather app and on AccuWeather.com. Woodblock print of the death of Jean Lafitte from The Pirates Own Book, published in 1837. Though floodwaters in Lafitte have gone down significantly, it still presents a major issue, Lee Sheng said during a press conference. Also, Dateline shows how you may be able to find that forgotten treasure on your own. That's my real deal. And dont say It could never happen to me. Some states have billions of dollars to give away. Residents there faced brutal winds and heavy rainfall. Its hard to believe there could be much good news after this, but weve found a silver lining actually, for some people, a whole lot of gold. So I don't know where it's going to stop. But, you know, this is a Cat 4, from what I understand is still a Cat 4. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the public school system of New Orleans was one of the lowest-performing districts in the state of Louisiana. hide caption. Aerial image of Jean Lafitte, La. You know, this is horrible. Over the years, Hendrick's Lake near Tatum has been a place where many people have visited in search of a legendary treasure that was supposedly left at the site by Pirate Jean LaFitte. MR: Just pray, you know. Huge beautiful tree. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In fact, its receding.. In them, his 11-year-old brother, Juan, kept calling out, Hold the door, hold the door, terrified of the storms bluster. State treasurer Tate Reeves, who runs Mississippis unclaimed property division, joined Dateline to deliver the news to Gordon. Hurricane Veterans Were Stunned by Ida: Its Never Been as Bad, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/us/hurricane-ida-lafitte-houma.html. He told me there is an old, very old oak tree. I'm thinking tomorrow morning, I don't know if I'm going to be there at four o'clock in the morning, at three o'clock in the morning, I just don't know. Your device might not be able to access this slider. Mr. Roque felt certain his aunt and uncle, whom he lovingly described as hippies, would be all right. According to one account, published in 1885, The Historical Guide to New Orleans, Jean Lafitte died of sickness on the island of Mugeres, off the Yucatan, in 1826. Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner said the town suffered "catastrophic" flooding Sunday following Hurricane Ida. "There were a bunch of old Spanish coins that were found recently, a bunch of old shipwreck pieces, fasteners, different things like that," Martinez said. Treasure hunters were out on the beach Friday after Hurricane Nicole turned up the sand, unearthing shiny pieces of Treasure Coast history. after Hurricane Ida. None of them like this one, he repeated. I felt bad because I should have left with my kids, she said. I found this site just now from a google search for Lafitte's treasure and it brought me here. Aerial image of LaPlace, La. He stated while talking to someone on the radio, who was a Jean L researcher, the guy described the markings Lafitte would leave pointing to treasure. after Hurricane Ida. TREASURE COAST, Fla. Right after and believe it or not even during hurricanes, there is a group of brave souls who take to the shoreline. before Hurricane Ida. Some believe it belonged to the pirate Jean . ", Aerial image of LaPlace, La. He went all the way to lower Lafitte, he said, but found few takers for a boat ride. Hurricane Nicole's pounding waves and storm surge eroded the coastline. Although New Orleans did not receive a direct hit from the storm, the levees protecting the city fell under . I am interesting in pirates treasures in Connecticut. Today, hes a millionaire. And I would imagine every one of them's caught back there right now, and I really don't know. Because the water system parish-wide is still being repaired, Lee Sheng said residents must limit how much wastewater goes down the drain for now. Digging in the toilets," Mears said. I mean it's rare. Residents surveying the damage to their home in Houma, La. Fast forward 25 years. This is the first time in my lifetime that I've left back there where I'm not actually looking at it. Are any of those resources available for these people? Jordan Roque pulled his Chevy pickup truck onto the last stretch of highway outside of town that was not inundated by water on Monday, hauling an airboat. Other variations of the mystery say Lafitte buried the treasure in multiple locations along the Gulf Coast. The muddy man on a mission wades along the banks of the Mississippi River and has been searching for unique finds since the 1980s when he first ventured out with his dad. Tree limbs and debris clogged the streets from the Bywater neighborhood to Uptown. Its something Dateline has shared with you before, a wonderful little secret called unclaimed property. It could be an old paycheck, a stock note, or inheritance thats owed to you. And thats when the unclaimed property office found the most remarkable story of all From disabled vet to millionaireBack in the 1970s, Jimmy was a regional supervisor for what was then a small Southern hardware chain named Lowes. I don't know about that if the government wanted to dig, they would. Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies The man who was killed left an estate of 60,000 in cash plus land in Mississippi. She reminded residents to stay optimistic, "We are battered but we will not be broken. What is the latest news? Shane Mears searching for historic relics in a privy, an old-fashioned term for an outhouse or what is now known as a restroom. He said they're not digging for the value but working to unearth and collect pieces of history. At the last I heard, it was still a Cat 4. Then I did a litlle research and found this. The man who told this did not or would not tell me the names of the two men. Satellite image 2021 Maxar Technologies The people that didn't leave, they got some people probably thought they could wait it out, had the resources to leave. Shane Mears and Susanna French looking for treasure along the Mississippi River with a metal detector. Great story! You must log in or register to reply here. SC: I can imagine that this must be also very emotional for you as a first responder. SC: And when do you expect to be able to reach them? http://community.webshots.com/user/famleeroots, http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,109722.0.html. hide caption. Accuweather National Reporter Bill Wadell didn't mind getting dirty to take viewers along a journey with a history buff in New Orleans who searches for Louisiana's forgotten past. The authorities had rescued more than 70 people in Jean Lafitte and the surrounding communities, said Cynthia Lee Sheng, the Jefferson Parish president, after eight feet of water overtopped levees, sending several hundred people into attics and onto roofs.