Cajun Flat Stanley Tales of Cajun Flat Stanley Tales of Hurricane RitaHurricane Rita

On Saturday morning, September 24, 2005 Hurricane Rita water On Saturday morning, September 24, 2005 Hurricane Rita water pushed water into Vermilion Parish. Erath a small town was under pushed water into Vermilion Parish. Erath a small town was under water.water.

Though Hurricane Rita hit near Johnson Bayou to the west of Though Hurricane Rita hit near Johnson Bayou to the west of Vermilion Parish, her water pushed into Vermilion Bay Vermilion Parish, her water pushed into Vermilion Bay flooding many parish towns and communities.flooding many parish towns and communities.

The flood was caused by Hurricane Rita’s tidal surge. This is The flood was caused by Hurricane Rita’s tidal surge. This is Erath, Louisiana, a small town of 2000 people. Erath, Louisiana, a small town of 2000 people.

All schools were severely damaged. All 1800 Erath students All schools were severely damaged. All 1800 Erath students had to be housed in other Vermilion Parish Schools.had to be housed in other Vermilion Parish Schools.

These are some flood pictures Cajun Stanley shared in These are some flood pictures Cajun Stanley shared in the Vermilion Parish area. This is what the entire town the Vermilion Parish area. This is what the entire town looked like.looked like.

This is a school in Erath. It is called Dozier Elementary. It is a Pre This is a school in Erath. It is called Dozier Elementary. It is a Pre K through 4th grade school with over 800 children.K through 4th grade school with over 800 children.

This is Dozier Elementary during the flood. The This is Dozier Elementary during the flood. The school had 3 feet of water.school had 3 feet of water.

This was Erath Middle School during the flood.This was Erath Middle School during the flood.

This is Erath High School under water.This is Erath High School under water.

Even the Erath High School Football Stadium was Even the Erath High School Football Stadium was under water.under water.

Dozier Elementary was badly damaged from the flood water. This Dozier Elementary was badly damaged from the flood water. This are pictures a week after the storm. Cajun Stanley said everything are pictures a week after the storm. Cajun Stanley said everything

was just a huge mess.was just a huge mess.

Cajun Stanley explained that like Dozier Elementary, the other Cajun Stanley explained that like Dozier Elementary, the other two Erath schools, Erath Middle and Erath High lost most of two Erath schools, Erath Middle and Erath High lost most of their things.their things.

All of the Erath streets were filled with debris and trash for All of the Erath streets were filled with debris and trash for weeks as people tried to clean the mess of Hurricane Rita’s weeks as people tried to clean the mess of Hurricane Rita’s flooding water.flooding water.

Stanley met a teacher named Ms. Stacy Bodin. Her class shared their stories Stanley met a teacher named Ms. Stacy Bodin. Her class shared their stories with Stanley. Stanley also heard a special story about Hurricane Katrina during with Stanley. Stanley also heard a special story about Hurricane Katrina during his visit.his visit.

Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. Erath is about 150 miles Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. Erath is about 150 miles from New Orleans. Ms. Stacy’s sister and her family lost their home, but their pet from New Orleans. Ms. Stacy’s sister and her family lost their home, but their pet rabbit “Bugs” survived the flooding in New Orleans. The children in her classroom rabbit “Bugs” survived the flooding in New Orleans. The children in her classroom loved the story of Bugs’ survival. loved the story of Bugs’ survival. Click here for more about Bugs and Nick.

Cajun Flat Stanley arranged a surprise for Ms. Cajun Flat Stanley arranged a surprise for Ms. Stacy 2Stacy 2ndnd graders. graders.

After Stanley heard these hurricane stories he was so was touched. To help the children in Ms. Stacy Bodin’s class feel better, Cajun Stanley arranged a surprise visit for the class. Stanley had heard the true story of “Bugs” the rabbit who survived the 42 days in Hurricane Katrina’s flooded water in New Orleans. To cheer up the Dozier Class, Cajun Stanley brought “BUGS” to meet the kids. Bugs, the children and Cajun Stanley had a blast even though Hurricanes had disrupted everyone’s lives!

22ndnd Graders meet Bugs and his Graders meet Bugs and his owners.owners.

The EndThe End

• For more information or pictures about Hurricane Rita or Katrina’s damages, cick here.