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
Project Reports
Weekly Report for New Iberia
January 29, 2010
Our week opened with a busload of 29 ready-to-work and high energy Old Order Mennonites from Ephrata, PA and Port Byron, NY. We also welcomed long-term volunteers Bill and Kathy Wall from Altona, MB. The weather cooperated most...
Category: New Iberia, LA
Map/Directions
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Project statistics
New Iberia, LA
MDS c/o Four Corners Community Development Center
1361 Big Four Corners Road
Franklin, LA 70538
Project Director: Gil and Rhoda Friesen
Tel: 337-276-6403
e-mail: newiberia(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Start Date: January 2006
Volunteers to Date: 365
Jobs Started: 20
Jobs Completed: 10
Project End Date:
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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