The
Chandeleur Islands are (were) a chain of barrier islands off Lousiana's southeast coast. Barrier islands form along wave-dominated coastlines and tend to protect the mainland from the heavy wave action and erosion associated with large storms. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are barrier islands that many in the USA are familiar with.
The last few hurricanes that have directly or indirectly hit the Lousiana coastline (and Katrina most dramatically) have completely obliterated the Chandeleur Islands. This important first line of defense against the power of large storms is
gone forever.
The next storm to hit southeast Louisiana will be even more catastrophic than you can imagine...not that the last one didn't also fit this description.