Hurricane Rita Brings Devastation to Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Hurricane Rita's devastating storm surge has left a trail of destruction in its wake, especially in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. With 110,000 residents, the parish's economy relies heavily on fishing and oil industries, which have been severely impacted by the disaster. Residents have returned to their homes to find extensive damage, including flooded backyards, buckled tile, and a strong odor of saltwater and decay. The parish's emergency management director estimates that 916 evacuees from Hurricane Rita are being sheltered at two local schools and a recreation center.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Rita's storm surge caused a nine-foot tidal surge, the worst recent storm in the area, with only minor wind damage from Hurricane Katrina.
• The parish's levees are earthen barriers designed for storm drainage, not hurricane protection, leaving residents vulnerable to flooding.
• Shrimping and oyster fishing industries have been severely impacted, with many processing plants underwater, and oystermen fearing a two-to-five year delay in recovery due to silt stirred up by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
• Rep. Charlie Melancon said that had the federal government provided the requested $14 billion for levees before Katrina, the need for $200-$300 billion to clean up would not have arisen.
• The parish's emergency management director, Michael Deroche, needs help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remove 426 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina still housed in the local civic center.
• Sheriff Jerry J. Larpenter expressed frustration with parish officials who did not issue a mandatory evacuation for 20,000 residents in the lower part of Terrebonne Parish.
• The parish's residents are calling for federal aid, with Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco asking for $20.2 billion to strengthen the levee and pumping systems along the state's inundated coastal region.
• Many residents appear to have grown weary of the frequent flooding and are considering relocating to higher ground.

Statistics:

• 110,000 residents of Terrebonne Parish
• 426 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina still housed in the local civic center
• 916 evacuees from Hurricane Rita sheltered at two local schools and a recreation center
• $14 billion requested for levees before Katrina
• $20.2 billion asked by Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco for federal aid to strengthen levees and pumping systems
• 9-foot tidal surge caused by Hurricane Rita
• 25 miles from Highway 57 to the Gulf of Mexico

Sources:

• New York Times, [Caption]