Update: Hurricane Laura destruction
Monday, September 11, 11:15AM
Several weeks after Hurricane Laura made landfall, great needs continue to unfold. Hundreds of homeowners who evacuated for safer locations have now returned to find their houses severely damaged or destroyed.
Amanda* told a CAM staff member that she had gone to northern Louisiana before the storm. She returned to find a devastating scene. “That is my house,” she shared with emotion, pointing to a mangled pile of rubble.
Dorothy, an elderly widow, showed CAM staff members through her damaged house. Tree branches had fallen through the ceiling of nearly every room. “God sends rain on the just and the unjust,” she shared through a mixture of smiles and tears. Several days following the storm, Dorothy had tried to find help. The quote she received to cut up and remove the fallen trees in her yard was a staggering $35,000. Free help from CAM’s energetic Rapid Response volunteers brought huge relief to her.
“These [possessions] are my things, but they are just things,” Dorothy said. “I have my family, my friends, and my faith.” She requested prayer that she would have wisdom to know whether to start over and rebuild or try to repair her devastated home. “We built this home,” she said. “I stained every piece of trim.”
Patrick, an elderly Christian man whose house was damaged in the storm, said Laura was the worst of five hurricanes he experienced in his 80 years. He was amazed at the quick, hardworking volunteers who cleaned up for him. “It looks beautiful,” he shared as he looked around his property when they finished. Before leaving, the volunteers gathered around to tell Patrick goodbye and pray with him.
SHOWING CHRIST’S LOVE AMID DESTRUCTION
To help meet the many needs in Louisiana, CAM set up a Rapid Response base in Westlake, a town adjoining Lake Charles. This area suffered extensive damage from the hurricane. Volunteers are busy cutting up fallen trees and cleaning out houses ruined by the deluge of rain.
CAM’s Loaves and Fishes Food Kitchen, operated by the New Order Amish, is providing hot meals to residents of Westlake. A good, hot meal is truly a touch of compassion for homeowners trying to find a way forward in the midst of serious destruction.
If you would like to help bring relief to disaster-stricken areas across America, your support will be a blessing. Supporters’ funds are used to provide cleanup, rebuilding, and other assistance for those in distress. Please pray that this aid will show Christ’s love to people facing times of destruction and despair.
*Names in this article are changed to protect identities.
Update: Hurricane Laura brought widespread destruction
Monday, August 31, 1:15PM
Hurricane Laura brought widespread destruction when it slammed into Louisiana and Texas on Thursday, August 27. This category 4 storm had wind gusts reaching 150 mph that splintered trees, ripped off roofs, blew out windows, and downed power lines. Heavy rain brought dangerous storm surges and flashfloods.
The city of Lake Charles, Louisiana, suffered severe damage from Hurricane Laura. One resident said, “It looks like 1,000 tornadoes went through here. It’s just destruction everywhere. There are houses that are totally gone.” He testified that the hurricane’s wind sounded like the roar of a jet engine as it passed over his house. Another resident said the hurricane moved her mobile home like a roller coaster.
Laura was one of the fiercest hurricanes to hit the Gulf Coast. The heavy rain that followed caused further damage to homes with damaged roofs. Hundreds of homeowners who evacuated for safer locations are now returning to find their houses severely damaged or destroyed. Electricity will likely be off for weeks.
Hurricane Laura at a Glance
One of the most powerful hurricanes in U.S. recorded history
Made landfall as a category 4 storm
Wind speeds reached 150 mph
Help for devastated homeowners
Hurricane Laura brought widespread destruction to thousands of homes. Many homeowners face an overwhelming time of recovery. CAM plans to provide cleanup help in the wake of this storm. Rapid Response teams are researching ways to help in the coming weeks. Starting today, the Loaves and Fishes Food Kitchen is providing hot meals to residents of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Please pray for people affected by this storm. Pray also for our staff and volunteers as they show Jesus’ love in the wake of Hurricane Laura.
Update: Hurricane Laura makes landfall
Thursday, August 27, 8:10AM
Hurricane Laura makes landfall early Thursday morning as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds. Although the extent of damage is unclear at this time, dangerous storm surges and flashfloods have been reported in some locations. More than 290,000 homes and businesses are without power in Louisiana and Texas.We continue to monitor the situation. Our Rapid Response team members are on standby, ready to respond as needed. Continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Laura.
Hurricane Laura heads toward Louisiana and Texas
Wednesday, August 26, 3:23PM
Texas and Louisiana brace themselves as Hurricane Laura churns angrily across the Gulf of Mexico. Laura’s strength increases by the hour, as the relentless winds spiral upwards to 125 mph.
Forecasters warn that Laura could become a catastrophic Category 4 storm before hitting Texas and Louisiana. The storm is likely to make landfall on Thursday, August 27. Residents are preparing for floods, damaged homes, and power outages. Hurricane Laura already forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.
CAM’s Rapid Response cleanup teams and Loaves & Fishes Food Kitchen are ready to respond. They are ready to provide cleanup and food as needs arise.
Pray for the many people in the path of Hurricane Laura.
