Hurricane Rita, Cameron Parish, Louisiana
The Cameron Parish Pilot, Cameron, La
Submitted by Kathy Tell
Date 25 Jan 2006

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Where are they now?
Report on the evacuees

By NELL COLLIGAN 
Page 2, The Cameron Parish Pilot, Cameron, La., December 15, 2005


Douglas Burt called from Ruston to ask that we use the column to locate the owner of a beautiful black female
Labrador that is presently with him in Ruston. The lab was given to him by Pat Hough who was working on an oil
rig 15 miles south of Iowa off Fruge Road. It showed up at that location sometime after the storm, and hung
around the rig for several days. The rig was being moved to another location out of state, and Mr. Hough did
not want to leave the dog in the marsh. She was wearing a red collar and was obviously a pet that had been
trained and was well-cared for. Mr. Hough brought her to Ruston and asked Mr. Burt to care for her until the
owner could possibly be located. Mr. Burt called the office of the Cameron Pilot and someone there referred
him to me. 

SYLVIA BENOIT
Sylvia Benoit wrote to say that she, Winston, Raven, Virginia and Chris Benoit are all living in Lake Arthur.
They will be moving to Lacassine shortly. Sylvia would like to thank her friends who prayed for her before her
surgery as well as for the flowers, visits, and phone calls. She said it is so nice to know that you have a
lot of friends in times of need. Get well soon, Sylvia and please send another note when you have an address.
Your friends will want to touch base with you.

DONALD BROUSSARD
Donald Broussard, who was librarian and English teacher at South Cameron High for a number of years, returned
to his property in Pecan Island following the storm and is living temporarily in a camper until he rebuilds.
Donald P.’s home did not receive as much damage as lower Cameron Parish, but he says he had his share. He has
had many visitors from Cameron Parish and sends along all of the following news:

MADGE REINA
Mrs. Madge Reina and Renee visited him recently. Madge and J.C. are staying with Renee at her home in Lake
Charles. Incidentally, Renee’s home was the family home of J.C.’s parents on Burton Lane. The Reinas, as well
as their son Joey, lost their home in Grand Chenier. Joey and Diana Sue (Canik) Reina are now living in what
was originally the family’s camp trailer on Lincoln Road in Lake Charles next to his brother’s veterinary
clinic. Mrs. Rick’s husband, who had been working on his home in Grand Chenier, stopped by for a short visit.
Fortunately, the home was not extensively damaged. They are living with Mrs. Rick’s sister in Shreveport.

STEVE DUPLECHIN
Steve Duplechin, former coach and teacher at SCHS, is currently the principal at Crowley High. 

ALVIN RAY MUDD
Alvin Ray and Earline Mudd are at their home in Singer.

GRACE MUDD ROBERTS
Grace Mudd Roberts is at her daughter and son-in-law’s home (Gwen and Roger Dale) in Kaplan. 

WHITNEY BACCIGALOPI
The Whitney Baccigalopi family is in Iowa.

YVONNE ROBERTS
Yvonne Roberts and Randall have been transferred to Mississippi.

WALTER WAINWRIGHT
 Walter Wainwright of Grand Chenier and his family have moved back to Pecan Island and are living in a camper.

STEPHANIE NUNEZ
Stephanie Shay Nunez and her husband, Karl, have returned to their home in Pecan Island. The home was not
damaged by Rita, and they have since elevated it. Stephanie is a registered nurse working in New Iberia.

Donald ends by saying he does volunteer work at the local grocery store, maintains the local Catholic Church
grounds and the fire station (practically a full time job). It’s easy to see this is a very busy man. 

I read that re-entry will begin as early as Dec. 14 with Johnson Bayou and continue in phases throughout the
parish, ending with Cameron which is scheduled to reopen between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. It will be exciting to
see what’s going on in the parish when springtime arrives.

Please mail me at: 302 Trailwood Lane; Lafayette, La. 70508. My phone is 337-988-5395 and my e-mail address
is: nnadc67@aol.com When sending your news, please give us an address if you can possibly receive mail.
NELL COLLIGAN 

The CAMERON PARISH PILOT- Weekly Publication
Jerry and Joy Wise, P.O. Drawer 1486, Cameron,La. 70631-8998