justjanblog
It's All About Rich Moments, Enjoying Prettiness Indoors or Outdoors
Louisiana
Home…what does it mean to you? A respite from the world. A place to gather with your friends and family. A safe haven. A place that holds your cherished memories. Maybe a place where you have decorated to lift your own spirit, especially at the end of a grueling day. What if it literally got washed away?
I live in Mississippi, Louisiana is my neighbor. My Facebook has been lit up with images from the flooding there. This was one of the posts below.
“Saturday morning August 13th, after raising her furniture a foot off the floor and and putting up some picture albums high on her etegare the day before, my mom woke up at 4 am to check the water level in the yard. She noticed it was coming up the hill way in the back so she got my daddy up, dressed him, fed him and got him situated so she could pack the car for both of them. Some of you may not know that my dad is comepletely wheelchair bound and can’t stand on his own. By 5 am, when the car was packed and she was ready to leave it was too late. The water had risen suddenly and her road was already flooded. She called and texted us and there was nothing we could do. The water was rising and it was rising quickly. Beau and I were frantic. The 911 station was litteraly flooded and the hotline wasn’t answering. The police station put her on a list to be rescued. She was #162 on the list. Beau was in Central and couldn’t get to her. I was 6 miles from her and couldn’t leave my driveway………”
“The water continued to rise by the second. She sent me text saying “if we don’t leave now we will drown.” She then posted a plea on Facebook asking for a rescue. The water is at my dad’s chest while he is sitting in his wheelchair. He says to her “I’m fine. Leave me. Save yourself.” That’s not happening. She opens her front door, a huge garbage can rushes in and knocks my dad over. She grabs the back of his t-shirt, twists it underneath his arms and drags him out the house. She drags him through the 3 foot deep water about 40 yards to the street around the tree and back up to the neighbor’s high porch. My mom and the neighbor put him in a chair while she goes back for his wheelhair. She comes back with his wheel chair and goes back for the dog, all while the water is rising. In the meantime, boats have deployed to rescue them. Jeeps have deployed to transport them. As they are sitting on that high porch, the water is at my daddy’s chest. Dogs are swimming by…people are swimming by… And then boats start showing up. My daddy was rescued first and then they came back for my mom. They soon realized, as they got out of the neighborhood, the whole town was under water.”
Talk about a picture worth a thousand words from the #LouisianaFlood. This is Celtic Center in Baton Rouge which houses thousands of people with flooded homes. Thousands bedding with their pets. If you wonder why I keep posting these pictures, we need an army of volunteers. In the governor’s press conference today, they explained they need organizations that can send large groups. Like faith-based groups. They appreciate the locals coming in, but this is a Katrina-type disaster and we need masses of volunteers. Most did not have flood insurance because they were not in a flood zone. Please share, especially those out of state. Send your groups to http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/
If you would like to make a monetary donation to help the victims of this week’s flooding, please contact The United Way through their website.
or mail a check to the following address:
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
ATTN: Flood Relief
2515 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
*United Way will accept donations starting Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the Canal St. office. They will take cash and cleaning supplies and toiletries. They will NOT accept clothing and furniture at this time.
If you’re out of state or unable to donate in person you can also donate with the Foundation for Louisiana by clicking HERE.
For all of my out of state friends, this will give you a little perspective. This is interstate 12 approaching the Denham Springs exit in Livingston Parish (same as your counties). 90% of the homes in that parish have been destroyed.
Jan
justjanblog 
I have folks there also and it is devastating All I can say is your mom is one flesty lady. So glad they are safe
Thanks Gayle. I am not from there but my husband is. That was not my experience but one of many that are being shared now.
I am so sorry that people are going through this disaster. The weather is crazier than ever – flooding in your area and drought in mine.
I hope everything is fine for your family once things settle down.
Thanks Carol. I am actually next to Louisiana as I live in Mississippi. This isn’t my family but one of many whose stories are being shared.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of those affected. Is the National Guard there helping ? It just seems like we can save the world but not ourselves.
Jan, this is so heartbreaking! Thanks for sharing…the photos says it all!
This is so horrible, Jan! I really can’t fathom it but your pictures make it too real. Thank you for sharing the Red Cross information.
Sad but true
I am glad people are posting pictures so everyone can see how horrible this flood really is.
Those poor animals not having anywhere to go, the picture of the horse and the dog in bushes is so sad.
Also so glad your parents are safe.