Red Cross Support Continues after Massive Floods

Three months after massive flooding devastated many southern Louisiana communities, the American Red Cross continues to support relief and recovery for flood survivors. From the beginning, the Red Cross has been there for people whose homes and belongings were inundated—and our work isn’t over. We are still standing with affected residents, making sure they get the help needed to pick up the pieces and plan their immediate recovery. Moreover, in the coming months, we will be taking an active role in individual and community long term recovery. When the flooding began, thousands of Red Cross disaster workers from every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico joined local workers to help, staffing shelters for people forced from their homes and providing meals, relief supplies and emotional support. Later, they fanned out into impacted neighborhoods as people began to clean up and muck out their flood-damaged homes.

August’s floods were the second devastating flood event to hit Louisiana this year. As affected residents rebuild their lives, Red Cross caseworkers are helping coordinate follow-up services and identify available resources, including financial assistance for those who qualify. Recovering from a disaster can be a confusing, emotionally draining and complicated process. Each family’s situation is different, and our caseworkers will continue working with flood survivors to help them make recovery plans and meet their most pressing needs. We are also working with our partners to support and advance community recovery in the affected parishes.

Flood Survivor Thankful for “Lifesavers” from Red Cross As the water rose outside her home, Gloria Guillory says the reality of it didn’t hit her right away. But when flood waters reached her front door, Gloria, her son, Brandon, and his children began lining all of the doorways with towels. As water seeped in, they wrung the towels out into buckets to be dumped. “But pretty soon, there was nowhere to dump, and it all just came in,” said Gloria. “It flooded everywhere; the dining room, the kitchen, my living room. Water was everywhere.”

As water continued to rise, Gloria and her family picked up what valuables they could and stacked them on top of shelves. Ultimately, the waters rose so high that the family had to be rescued by boat. Gloria’s home now has four feet of drywall and insulation removed. Her furniture is ruined, and most of the home’s interior will have to be gutted and cleaned or replaced. From the street, her home is hidden behind the 28 years of belongings stacked outside. “It’s just been so overwhelming,” she said. “Sometimes, I just want to give up. It’s a lot to clean, and now we’re fighting the mold.” As cleanup progressed, Red Cross response vehicles visited Gloria’s neighborhood daily, delivering hot meals and clean-up materials to her family and others like them. As the people of Louisiana take steps toward recovery, the Red Cross is there with food, supplies and comfort. “You all are our lifesavers,” said Gloria. “You may not realize it, but just seeing you here means a lot. Thank you for the food, the supplies and the support. You don’t really even understand the psychological aspect of it all until you’ve been in our shoes.”

“When visiting Louisiana after the August floods, I met people facing truly staggering losses. But I remain heartened by the resilience of the American people. Louisianans are determined to get back on their feet, and the Red Cross will be there to help.” -- Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross

Compassionate Donors Power Louisiana Relief and Recovery

Thanks to our generous supporters, the Red Cross has raised $28.1 million, including the value of critical donated goods and services, to help people impacted by August’s flooding in southern Louisiana. As of November 2, 2016, the Red Cross has already spent or made commitments to spend approximately $20.9 million on emergency relief and recovery efforts for the August 2016 Louisiana floods. All remaining funds will be used to provide help and support services for both individual and community long-term recovery in the affected communities, including additional financial assistance in partnership with long-term recovery committees, support for women and children impacted by the disaster, and community and individual preparedness programming.