Daily Iberian survives Hurricane Rita

While the New Iberia area was spared the full force of HurricaneRita, the storm did cause some significant damage in the area.

While the winds were not nearly as significant in this area asthey were farther to our west, there was more damage than was expected. Thereare lots of limbs and trees down, some roofs or awnings torn off, and other moreminor damage to homes and structures. Most everyone was without power for a dayor two. As this is written, several employees' homes are still without power,including publisher Will Chapman.

Chapman reported that the lack of electricity was all the moreof an inconvenience as his power was still out though most all the houses aroundhim had power restored a day or more before. His particular side of the streethas a problem affecting just his and two other homes, making correcting it lessof a priority than other areas.

More of a problem for the area was a water surge, a combinationof high tide and lots of rain pushed by the high winds. Areas south of U.S. Hwy.90 are low, but even long-time residents were surprised at the flooding.Residents of Delcambre and other communities just outside New Iberia hadsignificant flooding, trapping hundreds of people on their roof and in theirhome.

Senior News Editor Don Shoopman and his son Joshua braved thestrong winds after the storm to join a flotilla of volunteers who used theirboats to rescue stranded citizens.

One couple in a Lafayette hospital reported having to scare offa large alligator before they swam from their flooded home. A fast moving logfloating in the water injured the wife, causing her to seek medicalattention.

Businesses at the Port of Iberia were flooded, then when waterreceded, other problems were found, like a chemical spill that was stormrelated, shutting down clean up efforts until that particular problem could beaddressed.

The newspaper facility escaped serious damage, though hadseveral places where the roof was damaged and water got in. Editor Steve Bandy'soffice was flooded.

A group of dedicated department heads and employees showed up atthe office right after the worst of the storm, to start working on getting apaper out. A generator powered a few lights and a few computers. The humidity inthe building was a real problem, and paper had to be put down on the hardsurfaced floors that were otherwise slick like ice.

With a lot of hard work and effort, Sunday's paper was printedin Houma, Louisiana and on the street by noon Sunday. The circulation departmentreported more than 85 percent of the papers delivered that day, with the rest togo out on Monday.

"I am extremely proud of the dedicated staff we have at TheDaily Iberian. " Chapman said. "People showed up Saturday afternoon and justasked, 'What can I do to help?' I also heard from readers who complimented usfor getting them their paper, even in the face of such obstacles, includingcomments like, 'I knew you guys would be working to get us a paper.'"

Chapman noted his Daily Iberian was in his box around noon onSunday, while the Lafayette Advertiser, which didn't lose power, wasn'tdelivered until 6 p.m. Sunday night.