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Louisiana Relief Begins
Written by Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Oct. 7, 2002 —
“Lili’s over!”
Lili's damaging winds tore roofs off of houses, uprooted trees and blew the canopy off of this gas station.
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The hand-painted banner strung between two storm-battered trees south of Lafayette sounded a survival cheer for many Louisiana residents.
Some citizens of the southern parishes, however, are not as relieved.
The American Red Cross is responding as the needs of returning evacuees and remaining residents emerge. The first of countless teams of ERV’s (Emergency Response Vehicles) were deployed less than 24 hours after Lili made landfall.
Much of the state was affected by flooding, severe wind damage, and fallen trees and power lines. Electricity for the hardest hit areas of south Louisiana might not be restored for weeks.
But the absence of lights and air conditioning has not hindered the Acadiana chapter of the Red Cross from assisting their neighbors. Volunteers and staff at headquarters in Lafayette persevere under the intense heat and humidity using only a phone system to coordinate relief efforts.
Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles provided food and refreshment to between 300 and 400 people.
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Other local Red Cross workers in the heavily damaged areas are as equally tenacious and focused on helping their community.
“We’re concentrating on feeding most of our people in their homes,” said Cheryl Charmi, leader of ARC efforts in her hometown of New Iberia, LA. “Even though there’s no power, it’s better because shelters wouldn’t have power either.”
Three Red Cross vehicles loaded with food and supplies parked amid downed trees and power lines in the south Louisiana town to distribute parcels to hundreds of residents.
“I’m so thankful the Red Cross is here for me and my daughter,” said Jessica Engleton. “We’re so happy to get this food.”
Red Cross volunteers Jerry Radoff and John Skorna drove an Emergency Response Vehicle from Detroit to take part in the Louisiana relief effort.
“I worked here in New Iberia after Hurricane Andrew,” said Skorna. “We’re so glad to be able to help.”
Radoff and Skorna are two of the nearly 1,000 American Red Cross volunteers and staff assembled since before Lili blew ashore. Like the people of Louisiana, numerous American Red Cross workers have remained steadfast through tropical storm Faye, Hurricane Isidor, and Hurricane Lili.
Though the most recent storm is indeed over, the work of the American Red Cross is only beginning.
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All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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