Louisiana Hurricane Katrina Report

On August 11, 2016 rain began falling across the southern portion of Louisiana, in which rainfall exceeded 20 inches in multiple parishes causing catastrophic flooding that submerged over 100,000 homes and businesses and killed 13 people. In portions of Baton Rouge and Lafayette accumulations peaked at 31.39 inches, which was more than during Hurricane Katrina and Isaac The National Weather Service rates it a 1-in-1000-year event! Governor John Edwards, called the disaster a “historic, unprecedented flooding event” and declared a state of emergency.
Oh the wonderful, beautiful, loving, extremely exciting and fulfilling joy that comes through serving in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ! Wow, at the great honor and privilege 14 SC
Andrews UMC located at 17510 Monitor Avenue in Baton Rouge and we received job request through their local coordinator Greg Bonner in conjunction with the UMC Disaster Command for Baton Rouge. The team put in 3 very hard days working in ruff situations dealing with mold, muck out and various forms of debris removal. We cut limbs off 1 home. Completely gutted the water damaged and molded contents of 5 homes, which included tearing out everything from the flooring, sheetrock, insulation, cabinets and yes – even the kitchen sinks. We then sprayed the homes down to help kill and prevent future mold. We also did mold remediation at two other homes and a wide variety of additional aid such as helping people set up living quarters and securing their home and properties so they would be able to safely move back in to a portion of their home while waiting on rebuild for the rest. There is such a massive amount of devastated homes that it will take a long time before many will see rebuild, especially since most did not have flood insurance. The large majority of people in the affected areas also lost heir vehicles in the massive flood.
Physical task is one portion of our goal but the main portion is always centered on helping give the survivors hope, inspiration and new life in Jesus Christ through our actions and compassion. In each home we were able to wonderfully do this as we worked side by side with the survivors and listened as they told their stories of survival,
Her mind was changed as she saw the waters come up her street so quickly that she as she tried to escape, the ever-rising water flooded out her car and she was forced to retreat into her home along with her pet Dotson. A neighbor later rescued them in her boat. To do so, they had to break down a portion of her wooden fence. After completing her home we also replaced the broken fence so she could bring her pet Dotson home with her into a secured yard and second story room that we helped set up for her to stay in.
Everywhere we went we heard survivor stories and how people were grateful though their homes were devastated and most of their positions destroyed. Some were depressed and desperate for help but most were still holding out hope and looking on the bright side. They were encouraging to us. The people of this recent Louisiana flood will need help and a lot of it for a long period of time. There is a lack of volunteers to help and the need is dire, especially since the large majority had no flood insurance, as many did not live in what was considered a flood