NEW ORLEANS — Resident Donald Joubert sat in the hall of Delgado Community College, eating his first hot meal in more than two weeks.

The 71-year-old, who was stranded in his home by floodwaters, is the first person Southern Oregon soldiers of the Army National Guard have evacuated since arriving in this city ruined by Hurricane Katrina.

"He was not on the verge of death, but it’s good he had help," said Mike Walker, a platoon sergeant with the Medford Alpha Company from the 1st Battalion of the 186th Infantry.

Joubert, who was in high spirits, said he had been living off canned food in his pantry and bottled water from the home of his tenant, who had evacuated before the hurricane.

"I stayed in that house for weeks living alone, no electricity, no gas, no water, and my car was flooded," Joubert said. "Fortunately, I’m still here. I’m still alive."

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Battalion members had patrolled the area before, but Joubert, who has trouble hearing, did not hear their knocks on his door.

He told a neighbor who had been checking on him that his provisions had recently run out. The neighbor called authorities Tuesday to help him evacuate.

"In a matter of minutes, the National Guard came with a shuttle bus," Joubert said. "I felt very much relieved."

Members of the Medford company took him to the community college, the battalion’s New Orleans headquarters.

Joubert said he had heard nothing about the devastation caused by the hurricane. The last news he received was a somber weather forecast on television before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29.

During the storm, the floodwaters rose over Dupree Street, where he lives, but the interior of his home stayed dry. Joubert said he had to live in sweltering heat because all of his windows were boarded up, and he feared looters might break in.

"It was sheer misery," he said.

While officials arranged shelter for Joubert, battalion Chaplain Ron McKay of Ruch sat with him and provided him with cold, bottled water and a hot MRE of salsa chicken.

"It’s excellent," Joubert said, as he munched on the chicken.

McKay called Joubert’s family members to let them know he was safe. Medics were expected to examine Joubert later in the day.

Relaying his ordeal to McKay, Joubert described what it was like to live in overwhelming heat without any means of bathing.

"I don’t think a skunk would want to get near me," Joubert joked, eliciting howls of laughter from McKay and other soldiers.

"He’s cheering us up," McKay said. "He is good for morale."

McKay said it was rewarding to finally see one of the people the battalion was sent here to help. The beginning of the mission consisted largely of patrolling deserted streets and finding empty houses.

"It makes me feel great that we’re here helping someone," he said. "As the water recedes, I think we are going to see more and more."

Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail pachen@mailtribune.com.