Katrina’s lasting effects on Avoyelles

  Hurricane Katrina changed many things. Many of those changes were made to ensure there is never another tragedy like Katrina. Two significant changes at the state level have also affected Avoyelles’ local operations, parish Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Joey Frank said.

   Act 12, a uniform building code for the state, was adopted by the Legislature after the 2005 storms of Katrina and Rita.

  “The building codes were made stricter,” Frank said. “There is now a permit office and inspectors that go out to make sure the construction is being done properly,” he said. The new codes, permits and fees have sparked much debate over the years from contractors, home owners and police jurors.

  The second major change is the opening of evacuation centers. In past hurricanes, Avoyelles was the first parish in which evacuees could seek shelter. Now, the state will direct evacuees to two “mega-shelters” -- one at LSUA and the other in Olla.

  Frank said when those shelters are full, parish evacuation centers will be opened to handle additional evacuees. 

 Soon after Katrina, Canadian businessman Frank Stronach developed “Magnaville,” named after his company. It was located in the Simmesport area. It soon became known locally as “Canadaville.” Stronach built single-family homes for 330 evacuees, who lived there rent-free for five years.

  In November 2011, after most of the residents had moved back to New Orleans, Stronach and his company donated the 900-acre site to the Avoyelles Port Commission. Only a few of the original residents remain, paying rent to the Port Commission.