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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 plans to reopen a project in New Iberia in January, 2009.

Making-foundation-forms.

Volunteers make foundation forms.

The-joists-are-on

The joists are on the piers.

Two-short-term-volunteers-m

Short-term volunteers in New Iberia make good use of the chop-saw.

The-walls-are-up

The walls are up on the project in New Iberia.

Foundation-forms-waiting-for concrete New Iberia

Foundation forms waiting for concrete.

Tabor-College-student-goes-

Tabor College volunteer in New Iberia.

Digging-holes-for-the-deck-

Digging holes for the deck supports.

LTV-Leonard-Kennel-in-the-r

Long-termer Leonard is in the rafters.

Progress-at-4-weeks.

Progress at four weeks.

Working on the house

Working under the house.

Nailing the roof

MDS volunteers work on a roof in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Rudy Janzen

Rudy works on the trusses.

Mr. L s kitchen-after

Mr. L's kitchen after MDS volunteers worked on his house.

Mr. L s kitchen-before

Mr. L's kitchen before the work begins.

Alvy Roth delivers much needed scaffolding

Alvy delivers much needed scaffolding.

Miss-Eloise s-House

Miss Eloise's house.

Mr-Frank s-house

Mr. Frank's house.

Miss-Woogie-by-her-new-home

Miss Woogie by her new home.

Working-on-Woogie s-House--

Working on Miss Woogie's house.

Kitchen- -Office-Staff---Ph

The kitchen and office staff in New Iberia.

Crew-Leader s-meeting

The crew leaders meet to discuss the progress.

Woogie- -Elouise-visiting-t

Clients, Miss Woogie and Miss Elouise, visit the MDS camp.

Mr-Frank-and-Peter

Client, Mr. Frank, with Project Director, Peter.

Singing-before-devotional-t

Volunteers lead singing before devotions.

Taping---photo-by-L.-Schroe

Volunteers work on taping. -photo by L. Schroeder

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New Iberia, LA
MDS c/o Four Corners Community Development Center
1361 Big Four Corners Road
Franklin, LA 70538

Project Director: Nelson and Patti Nafziger
Tel: 337-276-6403
e-mail: newiberia(at)mds.mennonite.net

Project Start Date: January 2006/Re-open Jan 5, 2009

2009 Statistics

Volunteers to Date: 292

Jobs Started: 10

Jobs Completed: 10

Project End Date: April 24

Volunteer Information:  Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in New Iberia.

Volunteer Information

Welcome to New Iberia