On the evening of September 11, 2024, Hurricane Francine made landfall as a dangerous Category 2 hurricane in southern Louisiana. As soon as it was safe, the American Red Cross mobilized hundreds of disaster workers to bring aid to those in need.
One of those teams was the Red Cross Community Adaptation (CAP) team based in Terrebonne Parish, which collaborates with hyper-local partners to help increase access to health and mental health services, nutritious food and safe housing for people impacted by disasters like Hurricane Francine.
“I’m embedded in this community,” said Dr. John Navy, a risk reduction coordinator for the Red Cross. “I live in this community, and I love my community. To be able to help after a disaster — it means so much to me.”
In Terrebonne Parish, the climate crisis is increasing the threat to local communities from stronger storms, extreme heat, record floods and rising sea-levels. This is especially true for those who often experience a heavier toll after disasters including low-income families, older adults, communities of color and people with disabilities.
“Service is a team sport,” said Dr. Gilda Ebanks, a risk reduction manager for the Red Cross. “We’re here just to support. We’re not the stars here, they [our partners] are. That alone makes me happy to be working for the Red Cross, doing what I’m doing today.”
The CAP team headed to Houma, a city in Terrebonne Parish that took a direct hit from Hurricane Francine, where they met with community partners Sisters of Strength and Knowledge and First District Church.
“We have all of our partners together to collaborate with us,” Dr. Navy said. “Collaboration builds community — and this is the prime example.”
Deeply rooted in the community, Sisters of Strength and Knowledge and First District Church were actively distributing food and resources to those in need and welcomed the Red Cross to partner in their efforts. In just a few hours, they were able to provide hundreds of people with warm meals and snacks, clean-up kits, and water.
“The thing that I love the most is that the community comes together to support themselves,” said Dr. Ebanks. “They come together with the connections that they have to support their community, and I could not ask for anything better.”
With the help of our partners, more than 58,000 meals and snacks were provided to people impacted by Hurricane Francine, along with more than 5,000 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies.
The climate crisis is changing disaster risk across the country. The Community Adaptation Program is helping communities plan for the disasters of tomorrow. Learn more here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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