Call to Action: Help Lousiana Flood Victims

September 20, 2016

From Maria Gutiérrez, Team FLY Leader: As you may have heard last month, the state of Louisiana experienced a devastating flood. It took place nearly 11 years to the date after Hurricane Katrina. The media may have stopped reporting on the crisis, but I know from first hand accounts how people in Louisiana are still struggling to deal with the aftermath.  

When President Obama visited the flood victims last month, one of the residents, Linda Fernandez told the New York Times: “I don’t have time to think when I go home — I mean, go to my place in the corner […] I’ve been busy. I haven’t watched the news. I’ve been doing all this by myself.” Ms. Hernandez had been staying at a friend’s house. She is one of hundreds of people have had to rely on friends and loved ones for shelter and support. Many have lost their houses, furniture, cars and personal possessions.  

My mother, a science teacher, lives and works in Baton Rouge. While the flood did not reach her own neighborhood (thankfully), nearly half of her co-workers have lost their cars or houses. One of them, a teacher from the Philippines, has been staying with an acquaintance. In addition to her house, she lost her car too. She’s had to find someone to give her a ride to work every day. She has no property, so she’s focused on keeping her job and staying afloat.   

My mother and her co-workers have been relocated from a high-school facility to a nearby dilapidated, mold-ridden building. There is simply not enough space to house all the students and teachers in Baton Rouge. Teachers now have to share classrooms and student space. My mother’s supervisor tries to encourage everyone to “stay strong” and promises that this is only a temporary situation. The teachers know the situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.  

Some residents have decided that they have no choice but to leave the area, further hurting the state’s chances of quick recovery and economic development. One member of a Louisiana non-profit told CNN that: “I think everybody is still in shock […] right now people are living with family members, trying to assess what happened”. 

Last month, when the cleanup trucks arrived in Baton Rouge, one member of the DRC Emergency told NPR that: “This is much worse than I think has been reported […] I anticipate probably 60 to 90 days here in east Baton Rogue of just debris removal”.

I’m reaching out to you, as part of the FLY community, to donate to local food banks and shelters and help alleviate the crisis that residents of Louisiana are still facing. The American Red Cross in Louisiana has been providing meals and shelters to dozens of residents in need, and the Salvation Army has also sent personnel to help distribute emergency kits. You can also donate to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund or the South East Louisiana Flood Relief (United Way). Even a small contribution will help! Thank you.  

Maria