Large scale disaster responses require logistic coordination on the level of a package delivery service like UPS, but with the caring touch of a close friend. That is what is required whenever the American Red Cross responds to storms like Hurricane Ida, which struck coastal Louisiana August 29.

Massachusetts Regional Chief Executive Officer Holly Grant and Executive Director for Southeastern Massachusetts Barbara Cotton deployed to support relief operations in Louisiana, working as Elected Official Liaisons (EOL) to ensure support reached communities in need.

An EOL’s job is to ensure needs are met in outlying communities, generally where there is no electricity or regular services for residents. Once areas are deemed safe for relief and recovery operations, Red Cross volunteers literally roll into affected communities with Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), bringing with them ready-to-eat meals, cleaning supplies, and hot food as cooking and feeding sites are established. These ERV crews crisscrossed devastated towns in Southeast Louisiana, finding those in need.

“My role was to work with local and state officials to escalate the needs and coordinate resources for feeding, sheltering and clean up supplies in hard-hit communities,” said Cotton. “People couldn’t have been more grateful to the American Red Cross and the relief that we were able to provide. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this amazing effort.”

“The elected officials were so grateful for what we were doing in their communities. They were committed and passionate, making sure their residents got the support that was needed, helping them on the road to recovery,” said Grant. “Our work ebbed and flowed depending on what the needs were. As clean-up kit delivery was ending in some parts of Louisiana, it was just beginning in others.” Flood waters receded differently across the impact zone, and Red Cross volunteers moved into new areas as officials communicated their needs through local EOLs.

Partnerships stretched beyond local government. Working with community groups like the NAACP, local Hispanic groups and Native American groups allowed better and close coordination to make sure help arrived where it was needed.

“The Houma Nation are a historic Native American people of approximately 17,000 across six parishes of southern Louisiana, with their headquarters located in Terrebonne Parrish, where I was assigned,” said Cotton. The members of the community helped Red Cross volunteers and staff better understand the effects of Hurricane Ida, according to Cotton.

The Red Cross Latino Engagement team was also active in the response, serving people in need in Houma, according to Grant. “Cruz Roja from Mexico deployed to Louisiana, doing great work helping us set up service opportunities where it was needed,” said Grant.

Local residents are no strangers to strong storms, with more than 25 subtropical cyclones affecting Louisiana since the year 2000. With storms like Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), Gustav (2008), Laura (2020) and now Ida, coping and with severe weather and preparedness is part of daily life.

“They are unbelievably resilient, and creative, and always looking to find a way to move forward,” said Grant, who has deployed to Louisiana twice in the past two years. “When you live down here, you have to be really resilient to find a way to put one foot in front of the other. I’m proud to be able to help the people of Louisiana.”