Coastal newspapers in limbo from Katrina's wake

Hurricane Katrina destroyed whole towns in Mississippi and Alabama and flooded New Orleans, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

But many newspapers in the ravaged areas also are temporarily homeless without a delivery vehicle as the U.S. Postal Service suspended periodical delivery in hard-hit ZIP codes across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

As of Sept. 7, the Postal Service still was not accepting any standard mail (letters and flats) or periodicals mail — from any source — addressed for delivery within the following three-digit ZIP Code ranges: 369, 393, 394, 395, 396, 700, 701 and 704.

USPS said the emergency action was taken as a result of severe facility damage, evacuations and other issues resulting from Hurricane Katrina.

Newspapers across Katrina’s path were hit hard. Louisiana’s largest daily the Times Picayune in New Orleans was forced to abandon its downtown building on Tuesday, Aug. 30, and could not publish a print edition for at least three days, putting out an online edition only.

Louisiana Press Association provided a list of some of its state’s hardest hit newspapers. Here is a sampling of those that were left in limbo following the hurricane:

Amite Tangi Digest, weekly circulation: 1,287: The newspaper had printed its biggest edition of the year focusing on high school football when the hurricane struck and the post office closed preventing delivery. One staffer lost her home and others experienced significant damage including losing their cars. The newspaper is regrouping and ready to publish as soon as the post office opens.

Arabi St. Bernard Voice: weekly circulation: 2,970. The newspaper is heavily damaged. The building is registered with the National Historic Register.

Bogalusa The Daily News: Circulation: 6,662. The publishing status of this newspaper was uncertain without electrical power or other services in the area. The newspaper was working on locating staff.

Boutte St. Charles Herald Guide: semiweekly circulation: 3,389. The newspaper did an abbreviated single page edition and planned to resume publication.

New Orleans The Louisiana Weekly: circulation: 5,854. A minority newspaper with a rich tradition in New Orleans the newspaper building itself has minimal damage but the commercial district and subscriber base is wiped out.

Slidell Sentry-News: daily circulation 4,495. The newspaper experienced both hurricane and water damage. The publisher lost his house. Many staff members were similarly affected.