New Iberia RV
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.
MDS will return to New Iberia in the fall of 2011.
Photo Gallery
Group-sharing-a-meal-prepared-by-employees-of-Southern-Mutual
The RV group sharing a meal with the employees of Southern Mutual Help.
B-Hill-and-family-receiving-a-quilt-during-house-blessing
Presenting a quilt to a homeowner and her family in New Iberia.
Bob-getting-ready-to-install-a-new-window-in-Ms-Lenas-home
Bob is getting ready to install a new window in Ms. Lena's home.
Bob-and-Norm-installing-the-kitchen-cabinets-and-counter-top
Bob and Norm installing the kitchen cabinets and countertops.
Val-and-Martha-standing-in-the-living-room-just-after-finishing-the-laminate-flooring
Val and Martha standing in the livingroom, on the newly installed laminate.
Project Reports
Weekly Report for New Iberia RV
Five weeks have passed since our RV crew of eight started to redo Ms. Rita's house. We are beginning to think it may take as long as, or longer to rebuild her house than to build a new house. With volunteer labor, time is not of...[more]
Map/Directions
Project statistics
New Iberia, LA
MDS
c/o Big Four Corners Community Dev. Center
1361 Big Four Corners Road
Franklin, LA 70538
Project Director: Norm and Carolyn Ringenberg
Tel: (717) 823-0591
e-mail: newiberiarv(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Start Date: January 2006
RV Statistics
Project is closed
Volunteers to Date: 16
Jobs Started: 3
Jobs Completed: 2
Project End Date: March 2, 2012
Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in New Iberia.
Volunteers to Date: 8
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