Former New Orleans Couple Worries About Gustav

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Aug 31, 2008 at 7:29 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2008 at 7:29 PM CST

OXFORD – Just after Hurricane Katrina hit, many victims fled to Iowa. Some decided to stay.

Now, one former New Orleans couple has opened a restaurant in Oxford.

They're glad to be in Iowa, but worry about their friends who still live down south.

Sizzling steaks and seafood attract customers from all over Eastern Iowa to their small town restaurant.

Former New Orleans residents Ben and Jeri Halperin opened Augusta because they missed the southern style food served up in the "Big Easy."

"I love that place. I love New Orleans,” Jeri Halperin said.

They left because Hurricane Katrina destroyed almost all of their belongings.

"My car floated away along with everything else, pretty much,” Ben Halperin said.

Now, they cringe when they see another storm could hit.

"It brings back all the feelings we had before. When we left, it was a Sunday as well,” Jeri Halperin said.

The Halperin's spent much of their weekend calling New Orleans friends and loved ones to offer them some home-cooking and a place to stay here in Iowa.

"We just hope our friends will get out of there and be safe,” Ben Halperin said.

Ben and Jeri moved to Iowa to escape the wrath of hurricanes. When the floods hit, they couldn't help but notice similarities.

"We went and drove through Cedar Rapids and saw the mess and then we were thinking, 'Oh God. This looks like New Orleans did when we went back,’” Ben Halperin said.

Despite all the destruction in Cedar Rapids, the couple feels confident the city will recover. They believe New Orleans will, too.

"New Orleans is never going to go down. There is always going to be something there. That's for sure. They're going to stay strong and rebuild again,” Jeri Halperin said.

Fears of another hurricane will probably prevent the Halperins from ever moving back to New Orleans, but the couple is happy to have a new home here in Iowa.

They try to visit New Orleans at least once a year.

Next Article For Cedar Rapids, Proposed State Aid Hinges on Local Tax Approval

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