West Monroe High School - Rebelaire Yearbook (West Monroe, LA)

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Holiday precipitation brings flood waters and A Presidential Visit reaths adorning the doors and Christmas wrappings piled high belied the activities going on inside many West Monroe homes the day after Christmas. Instead of clean-up after the holiday, many residents were moving their personal belongings out of their homes as intense rainfall and a higher-than-normal river stage flooding. Since the gravity gates from the Black Bayou into the Ouachita River had been closed, water from the 12 inches of rain inundated many homes and apartments near the bayou. The West Monroe Guest House was also affected as National Guardsmen helped evacuate residents, who were taken to temporary center at FLEEING THE FLOOD - A homeless couple wade through waist deep water after heavy rains caused their townhouse apartment to flood. AROUND-THE-CLOCK VOLUNTEERS - Under heavy clouds which threatened additional rains, volunteers worked to place sandbags along the levee at the Town Sz Country area. LOUISIANA LIFE - Accompanied by Governer Dave Treen, a secret service man, and a national guardsman, President Reagan got an unusual tour of Louisiana after the flood. DRENCHED SILHOUETTE - A solitary figure checks on his neighbors Dec. 26 in the Parkwood subdivision, one of the hardest hit areas in West Monroe 2OfPresidential Visit the West Monroe Convention Center. Across the river, residents of several subdivisions constructed sandbag levies and set up 24 hour patrols to insure prompt attention should the make-shift levy break. National attention was focused in the area as each major network sent crews to film the floodwaters and interview persons affected by the rising waters. For the first time, a President of the United States visited the Twin City area, as President Ronald Reagan stopped in Monroe, Sunday, Jan. 2., to view the area. Disaster aid, flood insurance adusters, Red Cross volunteers, and friendly helping hands ushered the new year in as displaced families sought temporary housing. Clean up efforts to remove the sludge left by receeding waters began immediately as residents worked side-by- side to restore a sense of normalcy to their homes. Among the flooded victims was Bobby Myles, who commented, I felt very helpless and made, because there was nothing l could do about the water. Junior Robert Long explained his situation, My initial reaction was shock, when I returned from out of town. I was excited, because it was something different. After 2 weeks of cleaning, I wa tired, and reality had set in. S

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LOOK OF THE WEST- With an eye to fashion, senior LaDonna Stewart models one of the most current looks, that of a denim prairie skirt and leather boots, GOOD REFLECTIONS- Like so many other students, Alice Lindsay chooses mirrored sunshades and a bandana headband to relieve some of the heat during her P.E. class. IN COMMAND- Trying to surpass his pre- vious high score, Todd Rogers plays Missle Command on his home Atari system. CHARACTER CLOTHES- Even though it wasn't the designated Nov. 12, Hillary Frock wears her Panama Jack shirt, one of the most recent of the name shirts. 31. DYNAMIC DUO- Paired with an oxford, button- down collar shirt, the sweater is a mainstay of the wardrobe for both guys and gals, such as Judy Miller. WARMING UP- Michelle Shelton prepares for cooler weather with one of the latest trends, that of leg warmers worn over the jeans. Current Trends f 19

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A HELPING HAND - President Ronald Reagan visited Monroe to get a first-hand look at the flood situation. GETTING A MOVE ON - The day after Christmas, Kevin Calhoun's family moved their furniture into trucks in preparation for the rising waters, A HOPELESS OUTLOOK - Instead of gently flowing water of the Ouachita Lazarre Beach was marked by steadily rising flood waters leaving many residents won- dering what kind of swimming and skiing facilities would be left. Student I.ifef21