The past two days in South Louisiana have been unreal. In these low, flat lands, we're no strangers to rain or floods, but this is water we have never seen or will see again in our lives. The normally soothing sound of raindrops hasn't stopped since 4 a.m. yesterday, and now just brings a sense of dread about how much worse things might get.
I am so extremely grateful that our house is okay, but my heart breaks for all of my friends and family who are losing their homes. If you've been affected, my thoughts are with you and your family.
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| The Vermilion River in Vermilion Parish this morning. |
It's a stark and tragic reminder of what nature can do, no matter how hard we prepare and protect ourselves.
The Vermilion River in Lafayette is at its second highest recorded level in history, and won't crest until tomorrow.
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| Graphic from KATC's Facebook |
If at all possible, stay inside and off the roads. So many neighborhoods are flooded and residents stranded or evacuated. Wakes from traveling vehicles just makes the problem worse for already flooded homes. The coulees throughout the area are overflowing.
There are curfews in effect all over Acadiana this weekend, and the one covering Lafayette Parish (city of Lafayette, Carencro, Broussard, Youngsville, Duson and Scott) is from 7 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. Drivers on the road during the curfew can be cited.
It's very important right now to conserve your water. Limit your water usage to what's absolutely necessary - because the drainage systems are so overloaded, flushing or draining water can back up into your house. The water that drains from your plumbing is treated and discharged to the Vermilion (or other bodies of water in the area) and right now that water has nowhere to drain.
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| Coulee Mine at the Horse Farm around noon on Saturday |
If you're outside in the water, be careful of snakes or other Cajun creatures that may be hidden.
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| Damn right I checked first. |
The road to recovery is going to be a long one, but generosity and community go a long way.
Want to help?
- Follow the Acadiana Flood Victims & Volunteers Facebook page to see specific things someone may need.
- If you have any extra items you may be ready to get rid of, donate them to local nonprofit organizations. Clothing, housewares, furniture, blankets, and other items will be in high demand in the coming weeks as families assess their damages. Donate anything you can to help out.
- Donate supplies to United Way of Acadiana (their website has a list of item they need.)
- Donate clothing to your local Goodwill.
- Follow local news outlets on social media for any updates on community needs, like if shelters need blankets or other supplies for evacuees.
- As of Sunday afternoon, the Heymann Center does not need donations.
- The shelter in Scott is accepting donations as of Sunday afternoon.
- In Ascension Parish, the Lamar Dixon Expo Center is looking for donations of baby formula for evacuees, as of Monday morning.
- If you want to donate money, look for local and reputable organizations who can make the biggest impact directly to victims.
- United Way of Acadiana Disaster Fund
- Text LAFLOODS to 90999 to donate to the American Red Cross.
- Text FLOOD2016 to 41444 to donate to Greater Acadiana United Way (which covers St. Landry-Evangeline United Way, United Way of Acadiana, United Way of Iberia and United Way Southwest Louisiana.)
- Donate online to the Community Foundation of Acadiana's Disaster Response Fund.
- Offer a helping hand to neighbors or friends. Anything helps.
- If your home is good and you have extra space, offer to house friends or relatives.
- Sign up to volunteer with the Bayou Church.
Need assistance?
- LCVC has an updated list of hotels offering special rates for flood victims.
- Acadiana Red Cross is maintaining a list of open shelters throughout South Louisiana.
- U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage for flood victims.
- Visit GOHSEP's website for information on applying for federal and state assistance.
- Citizens in need of services should dial 211. (Locally, 232-HELP.) This United Way partner agency is available 24/7 to provide information, referrals, training and crisis intervention to people, organizations and communities so they can help themselves and others.
- Flood victims can shop for free clothing at any Goodwill Industries of Acadiana location on Wednesday, August 17.
If there are additional ways to help, or additional assistance available, I'll keep updating this list and sharing on my Facebook page.
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| The Vermilion River more than twice its normal size. |
Please stay safe as we endure yet another evening of rain. Follow all city curfews, and don't drive if you don't need to. (And chances are, you DON'T need to.) If you have to evacuate, do it before it's dark. Watch out for wildlife in the water.
Meanwhile, Dax is handling up on the wildlife situation currently at our house.
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