Louisiana Residents Lean on Community, Red Cross Following Historic Flooding, Tornadoes

Avoyelles Parish

Kenneth Clark was relieved to be safe and dry after severe, historic flooding left him unable to leave his home. The Avoyelles Parish resident was rescued by boat and brought to safety at the Cochon De Lait Center in Mansura, Louisiana, where he found support among community members already coming together to help those affected.

“I’m so grateful I’m still alive,” Kenneth said. “I had to get in a boat to get evacuated from my home. Didn’t have nowhere to go, just had the shirt on my back and a pair of pants.”

Kenneth is one of hundreds of Louisianans impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur, which brought heavy rainfall, flooding and tornadoes to communities across the state. In response, the Red Cross opened two emergency shelters, served thousands of meals and distributed critical supplies such as cleanup kits and hygiene items to support those affected.

At the shelter, Kenneth found practical help, a strong sense of community and a connection to an organization he once supported himself.

“Everybody just came in donating and helping,” he said. “I always used to be a faithful member when I was working. I was giving to the Red Cross, so I guess all of that pays off, just to be a good person and try to do your best to help others.”

Watch Kenneth Clark's full story on our Louisiana Region Facebook page.

Kenneth, who lives with a disability and chronic pain, said shelter staff made sure his needs were met.

“So far, my time here at the shelter has been wonderful,” he said. “It’s been complicated, but I’m so grateful that I do have somewhere to go. I thank God for the people, the workers here at the shelter, because they’ve really been a blessing. My knees, you know, I’m disabled, I have a bad back. So they’ve accommodated me real well.”

For Kenneth, the experience has been about getting through a difficult time with the help of others, and seeing firsthand how acts of generosity can come full circle.

Shelter volunteers Carolyn Adams (left) and Sharon Joy (right) create a safe, welcoming place for Avoyelles families.

Emergency shelter at the Cochon De Lait Center serves as a refuge for residents, and a hub for supplies, community resources and partners.

Jefferson Parish

The weather events caused by Tropical Storm Arthur were felt statewide. In the wake of nine confirmed tornadoes across southeast Louisiana, Red Cross volunteers were on the ground in Jefferson and Terrebonne Parish the very next day to provide food, water and relief supplies to families beginning to recover. With power outages lingering, cleanup efforts underway and many residents still shaken, that early support made a difference in lives of hard-hit communities like Avondale and Arabi.

“Red Cross got me water, food. I mean, you can’t ask for nothing better,” said Dwayne White, an Avondale resident impacted by the tornadoes caused by Tropical Storm Arthur.

Moments after the storm tore through his tight-knit neighborhood, Dwayne rushed outside to check on his neighbors. He called for help and responded to the sounds of people in distress as damaged homes and debris covered the streets.

So far, more than 2,300 meals have been served to those affected by this severe weather and flooding, along with more than 500 relief items and comfort kits distributed to support recovery efforts. Red Cross and local partners will continue to help families navigate recovery with resources, emotional support and financial assistance.

Avondale residents connected with Red Cross volunteers who provided food, water, comfort and a compassionate, listening ear.

Watch Dwayne White's full story on our Louisiana Region Facebook page.

The Red Cross will be serving these communities for the days and weeks ahead, and you can help. Help people affected by disasters like home fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country. To make your impact, visit redcross.org/donate.