What Happened (Iberia)

Iberia Parish declared a state of emergency on Aug. 26, 2005, in preparation for the landfall of Hurricane Katrina three days later. While weather effects from Hurricane Katrina were minimal, the parish was unprepared for evacuees and the Red Cross was not present. Still, Iberia Parish housed more than 2,000 evacuees from the eastern part of the state in motels, shelters and private residences. Iberia Parish volunteers coordinated and supported more than 1,200 meals per day, created shelters and service centers, and responded to evacuee needs.

On Sept. 22, 2005, Hurricane Rita was classified as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds over 155 mph, as it shifted direction toward the Louisiana/Texas coastline. Iberia Parish issued a mandatory evacuation order for the lower half of the parish south of U.S. Highway 90.  More than 6,000 residents heeded the order. The parish began moving Hurricane Katrina evacuees out of the parish into safer shelters and preparing additional shelters for its own residents.

Hurricane Rita made landfall on Sept. 24, 2005 along the Texas/Louisiana state line. Approximately 30 hours after the storm’s landfall, a storm surge of approximately 12 feet caused widespread flooding that covered about half of the parish landmass with water. Sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph continued bringing saltwater into the parish for the next 24 hours, overpowering drainage capabilities. Iberia Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) rescued hundreds of people stranded in their homes.