Flood Update: August 26th

If you’ve heard very little to nothing about the devastation a recent no-name storm caused in south Louisiana, then please read my original post from August 18th and the August 21st update.   I’ve added some news links with the abridged version, as well as some video/photos:  

This video is of the main road off of the interstate that goes to my hometown.


And this one shows the residential areas in my hometown...



The interview Fox News did with Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard is worth a watch for a better idea of how many people are affected: Painful Truth About Louisiana's Flood

There were more than 80% of the homes flooded and destroyed.  Thirty (30) parishes were declared disaster areas. Thirteen people lost their lives to this unprecedented storm.

The below picture is of the Livingston Parish 9-1-1 Communication Center that started taking on water August 12th.  Look closely, you'll see the waterline hit above four feet.  Imagine our comm center, which is also on the first floor of an old brick building, flooded with four feet of muddy river water.  That's our lifeline when things break bad.  Our communication with others, aside from officer safety, is one of the most important aspects of our job.

The flood waters receded for most areas, the devastation becomes demolition, and the piles of debris become toxic as it sits roadside waiting for the dump trucks.  Louisiana is a state engulfed with heat and humidity.  Add muddy river-water-drenched debris and you can watch the mold spread before your eyes.

Some areas are still flooded with up to two feet of stagnant black river water.  Until the surrounding rivers go down, the water has nowhere to go.  And you have to get over the whole Hurricane Katrina / New Orleans is below sea level.

One of the hardest hit areas happens to be my hometown of Denham Springs, in the heart of Livingston Parish.  This town is over 40 feet above sea level.  This is where my relief efforts will be focused.  With the amazing support of friends, family, and the kindness of strangers, I've been blessed with donations of clothes, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. that are overflowing my garage.  It's more than I ever expected, and quite frankly, if it takes more than one trip to deliver it all, then more than one trip I'll gladly make.

As trucks unload, there's another call for help, another shelter in need, another rescue underway.  The supplies dwindle.  Stores lack inventory.  Merchandise is being delivered, however there's very few businesses dry enough to take anything in.

The first responders are pulling double duty with working around the clock to continue the rescues, only to go home to start demolishing mold infested drywall and pulling up wood floors.  They get a couple hours of sleep/rest then return to work for another shift.  Outside law enforcement and fire rescue agencies are sending their personnel as backup.  Several outside police agencies have sent manpower to be temporarily sworn deputies in Livingston Parish.  They've prevented and/or caught red handed several looters.  So on top of the rescues, the lack of supplies, the rotting houses, and long hours, our fellow first responders are also the forgotten victims.

I don't usually share much about my life in such an open forum due to my job as a moving target for cop haters.  This devastation has created a bigger threat for me.  My family is affected, my friends are affected, my home is affected.

I made the excuse recently that because this natural disaster didn't touch my agency here in Florida, or my community, then no one would care; why should they, it only affects me.  I was wrong.  It affects everyone around me.  To show you a glimpse of just how much it affects those around me, here's a picture of day 1 donations followed by day 4.  If it didn't affect those around me, none of this would've been possible.

                                                                      DAY 1...                                    

"The actions of everyday heroes make a bigger statement than any words you'll ever hear." 

Day 4...

There are so many things still needed.  Please note, I'm not accepting any monetary donations.  You can google local Louisiana organizations you wish to send money to.  Preferably not the American Red Cross, who is NOT using the funds donated (or anything else for that matter) to help the flood victims.  Before you donate to a generic organization please do your research.

Here's the main requests being sent to the Louisiana Flood Rescue page and updates from loved ones:

1. bottled water
2. toiletries
3. dust masks
4. gloves
5. tools (for demolition and rebuilding)
6. Mold Killer: MoldSTAT, Concrobium, etc. (BLEACH DOES NOT KILL MOLD)
7. OdoBan / Lysol
8. Paper towels
9. Blankets / Pillows
10. Towels
11. Plastic Bins
12. Pet supplies (all animals) 
13. First aid kits
14. Food / snacks for first responders on shift as well as shelters

I'll be out and about this weekend picking up donations around the county to add to the truck.  If you wish to donate anything please don't feel as though you have to purchase it (unless it's underwear or toothbrush)!  I've said it before, a roll of paper towels and a half bottle of cleaner from under your sink is just as useful as anything else you could purchase.

The truck will be loaded Wednesday, August 31st.  Everything from renting the truck, fuel, and a one way flight home is out of pocket.  Please understand that no donations will be picked up or accepted past Tuesday, August 30th.  It's a tight schedule for the next six days to get this done.  I'm making this haul by myself, so prayers for safe travels is also appreciated.

Stay tuned for updates ...

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sissi M.
ragin.mccajun@gmail.com

*or if you know me personally through friends/work please feel free to call or text me.

Continued Help and Prayers

August 21st Update from Original Post :

The word is trickling out about the widespread damage in South Louisiana from severe flooding.  If you don't use social media you likely missed the breaking news about it.  A no-name storm dumped more than three feet of water over the past week which in turn overflowed the rivers and surrounding bodies of water.  The overflow then flooded entire parishes (counties to you non-native folks).  When I say flooded, I don't mean two or three inches over the roads.  It was so much water rushing through cities and residential areas that it looked like the Mississippi River took a detour at a rapid pace.

There's more to come, the rains continue, the hot and humid conditions after the rain worsen the growth of mold and mildew.  There's supplies flowing in from all over, however they run out quick.  If you remember the hurricanes we fared here in Florida, even as prepared as we were, there were still shortages.  Think of the things you needed then, the immediate necessities.

This is a list of some of the basic needs requested as the rescue and recovery efforts are underway:

1. bottled water
2. non-perishable foods
3. toothbrushes
4. toothpaste
5. wet wipes
6. deodorant
7. soaps
8. shampoos
9. Feminine products 
10. baby formula
11. diapers
12. pet foods (dry/canned! So many abandoned/lost) 
13. cleaning supplies (MOLD KILLER, OdoBan, Lysol, dawn soap, etc)
14. trash bags
15. gloves
16. dust masks
17. plastic bins
18. towels / wash cloths
19. blankets
20. pillows

Please also consider donating any professional services that will assist in the cleanup, temporary storage units, even temporary housing such as tents.  

I'm asking all of my local friends, coworkers, acquaintances, kindness of strangers, and anyone else they can share this with, to gather what they can for donations of the above items.  If you're nearby or on the way, feel free to contact me and I'll make arrangements to have the items picked up.

The truck is being loaded on the 31st, I'm leaving in the wee hours of the morning from Central Florida on September 1st.  

Contact info is below, but here it is again:  ragin.mccajun@yahoo.com  to Sissi M. for information/questions/and drop off locations.

I'm not accepting monetary donations.  If you wish to donate funds you can go to any of the main Second Harvest Food Bank or United Way websites, though most of this gets filtered into a general account that won't directly affect the Louisiana Flood Relief.  Here's some Louisiana local organization branches you can check out:

Donations can be made at any First Guaranty Bank location and Reference Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Relief Fund.

Checks can also be mailed to:
LPSO Deputy Relief Fund
PO Box 1515
Livingston, LA 70754

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Denham Springs Animal Shelter


Items to donate are not limited to the above list.  Those are just the immediate needs.  YES old towels/wash cloths are welcome, YES old blankets/pillows are welcome, YES clothes are welcome. These items need to be clean as they will be going directly to the shelters and communities in need--there's no place for many of these folks to bathe, let alone wash clothes.  A roll of paper towels and a half empty bottle of cleaner from under your sink is just as needed and appreciated as any new items.  Please don't feel you have to buy anything to donate.

Please remember our fellow first responders in these flooded areas have also lost everything, even work gear.  If there's any law enforcement/fire fighter/EMS/support personnel who wish to donate gear I'll make direct contact with the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office and Fire Departments to have it distributed.  They continue to work around the clock in less than human conditions.

P.S. ...anybody know where I can get a fire truck?  One of the fire stations was a complete loss. Figured it can't hurt to ask!

God bless all of you and thank you for your continued prayers.  

Contact Sissi M.: ragin.mccajun@yahoo.com  for information/questions/and drop off locations.