New Iberia, LA
Disaster Description
New Iberia is a large town in the midst of an agricultural region of southern Louisiana. It also services the off shore oil industry. This area is flat land and rises very gradually from the coastline.
Hurricane Rita came onshore September 24, 2005 bringing only minor wind and rain damage. However, six hours after the storm had passed, an 11-foot tidal surge that had build up in the Gulf came on shore. Because of the flat land that gradually rises from the coast, houses as far as 30 miles inland were flooded, damaging the contents and the interior structures. MDS began a project site in new Iberia in January of 2006 and left the area the end of February, 2007.
New Iberia was affected by two more hurricanes in the 2008 hurricane season. Gustav came onshore on the Louisiana coastline on September 1, 2008. Although Gustav's impact wasn't as bad as expected, New Iberia experienced some flooding, wind damage and power outages. A little over a week later, Hurricane Ike hit with a storm surge reminiscent of Rita's. Many homes were damaged all over again.
MDS returned to New Iberia in the winter of 2009 and rebuild three homes. A Partnership Home Program house was completed also. MDS Partnered with Southern Mutual Help Association and volunteers stayed at the Four Corners Community Development Center in Franklin.
The project will be open in January, 2010 for additional work.
Photo Gallery
Bundled-up-STV-Mag-uses-the
Bundled up STV volunteer Mag uses the air nailer to frame the interior of the New Iberia renovation.
Robertson St. property before MDS started the renovation process
R house before MDS started the renovations.
MDS-Jan-14,-2011-Pat-Bolton
Stephanie and Sharon, Pennsylvania volunteers, smile for the camera while on the job site.
Young-PA-vols-installing-wi
Volunteers from Pennsylvania install windows at Mr. Harvey's house in New Iberia, LA.
Client-Mr-Harvey-and-vols-w
Client, Mr. Harvey, and the volunteers who helped install drywall and mud the interior of his house.
Siding-was-installed-at-Mr-
Siding was installed at Mr. Harvey's house in New Iberia, LA, by volunteers Chrissy (from Manitoba) and Mag (from Iowa).
STV-Chris-and-Phil-from-CO-
Volunteers Chris and Phil from Colorado helped frame the interior of the New Iberia renovation.
Head-cooks-Ed-and-Betty-Reimb
Head cooks Ed and Betty Reimer serve crew leader Ernie Kornelson much appreciated cookies and hot coffee at the job site.
Project-Director-Gil-Friese
Project Director Gil Friesen presents volunteer Barry Jones with the 'Broken Bit' award for his outstanding efforts in helping renovate the New Iberia house.
Mr-Harvey-in-genuine-old-or
Mr. Harvey in his genuine Old Order Mennonite suspenders, his mother and sister and her grandchildren.
Volunteers-from-Mississippi
Volunteers from Mississippi and Ontario take a break for a picture in front of the New Iberia house.
Volunteers-take-a-break-for
Volunteers take a break for a picture with Mr. Harvey on his new back porch.
Project Reports
Weekly Report for New Iberia RV
Monday morning we started on a new renovation, for Miss Lavern. She is a hands-on Grandma who has three of her grandchildren living with her, and several of her children with grandchildren live in the neighborhood, so her home is...[more]
Map/Directions
Project statistics
New Iberia, LA
MDS c/o Four Corners Community Development Center
1361 Big Four Corners Road
Franklin, LA 70538
Tel: (337) 276-6403
e-mail: newiberia(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Start Date: January 2006
Project Director:
Volunteers to Date: 107
Jobs Started: 4
Jobs Completed: 3
Project End Date: Project is closed.
Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in New Iberia.
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