As I sit here in Wolfeboro, NH enjoying the cool weather, I am troubled by the news from home. My hometown of Lafayette, LA did not get any damage from Ida, but my son Arthur is without power except for a small generator. He works at Trader Joe’s in Baton Rouge and is overwhelmed by customers needing basics like water and ice; and, as soon as he gets off work, he spends time in long gas lines waiting to fill up his car and gas cans to run the generator. My sister further east in Mandeville, LA has no power or cell phone service, but she does have a generator and water at her front door. My brother in Belle Chasse, LA is in the same condition at home (no power or cell service), but he does have a generator. His business is a marina in Venice, LA, which is at the end of the road near the mouth of the Mississippi River. He cannot drive to the marina because the roads are flooded and covered with debris. He has damage there and is still surveying what needs to be done to get his business back up and running.
My three family members are representative of the eastern half of Louisiana—Ida has affected them all—rich, poor, healthy, sick, old and young. Many people have damage to property, some have been injured and some have died. Many areas of the state remain inaccessible because of damaged or flooded roads. Many people still have flooded homes, and many homes have been damaged beyond repair. People can’t move, can’t get help or basic supplies. Repair crews are coming into the state but have no place to stay because hotels can’t open without power or water. Sewer systems all over eastern Louisiana are inoperable because they are under water. Stores which can open cannot get new supplies and have empty shelves.
But little by little, recovery is beginning. People in Louisiana who can are helping those in need. The Cajun Navy has volunteers boating into flooded areas rescuing people. Ordinary people who have friends in the affected areas are joining them and rendering aid. Power is slowly being restored, but it will be a long time before everyone is reconnected. The airport in New Orleans is closed and not sure when it will reopen, but we expect it in the next few days.
What can people in New Hampshire do? Donate to Red Cross; donate to Episcopal Relief Fund; join some of the folks who are going down there to help. And Pray. Prayer always helps.
I am scheduled to fly into New Orleans on 14 September. My son in Baton Rouge is supposed to pick us up and drive us home to Lafayette. I hope we can get there, and I hope he can pick us up. In the meantime, I will pray.
