Answers for Louisiana Flooding Questions

Patrick Armstrong

1 hr · New Orleans, LA · 

The August 2016 Louisiana Flooding Disaster for those of y'all in the rest of America just tuning in:

- Nearly 7 Trillion (with a T) gallons of water fell from the sky in just under 48 hours over an area slightly geographically smaller than metro Atlanta.

- That much water in that short of a time in that small of a landscape would cause problems anywhere on the land surface of planet Earth.

- Massive flooding occurred, causing tragic loss of life, devastating loss of property, and driving tens of thousands of people from their homes and schools and work.

- Just like it would happen anywhere else, the high ground that hadn't flooded in recorded memory ALSO flooded. Nearly 7 trillion (with a T) gallons of water.

- The flood was very, very bad, and at one point shut off all roads west of New Orleans. All of them.

- Local, State, and Federal first responders, who take emergency preparedness very, very seriously and who have trained for events just like this for years, initiated heroic action resulting in tens of thousands of rescues for people and their pets.

- A bunch of civilians who take emergency preparedness (or boating, or both) very, very seriously initiated heroic actions resulting in thousands of rescues of people and their pets. If you hear about the "Cajun Navy" these are those folks.

- Because of professional emergency preparedness planning, authorities had some idea of where to set up shelters for individuals displaced or rescued in the flooding. Tens of thousands of people ended up in such shelters.

- Because floods are weird and don't flood everyone, a bunch of people who didn't flood then started helping out the people who did. It was a little chaotic at first, but things settled down.

- It is only a miracle that more people didn't lose their lives, but hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes. Recovery is going to take a long time.

- This flood affected people from all walks of life. Wealthy people and poor people, white people and black people and Native American people and a bunch of other people, city people and country people, heterosexuals and homosexuals, cis and trans men and women, young people and old people, Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Libertairans, religious people and atheists. Water don't care who you are or what you believe.

- Those responding to this disaster come from all walks of life. Wealthy people and poor people, white people and black people and Native American people and a bunch of other people, city people and country people, heterosexuals and homosexuals, cis and trans men and women, young people and old people, Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Libertairans, religious people and atheists. Ain't got to agree on everything to know that being flooded sucks, agree to disagree, and load this pallet of drinking water in the truck so we can get it to thirsty people at the shelter.

- No, New Orleans did not flood. We truly appreciate you all asking after us, but we need y'all to join us in helping out Baton Rouge, the Florida Parishes, and Acadiana right now. And Mississippi. Just like how it always happens, part of MS got clobbered by this too but we hear even less about them.

- Almost everyone in New Orleans has been sending food, water, diapers, formula, clothes, and other relief supplies west as the roads have opened. When you live in a community that has faced disaster, you are empathetic with other communities facing disaster. If you need your faith in humanity restored that people will go to great lengths to help one another, call your people in Louisiana, we can get you directly in touch with miracle workers.

- Now, if you live somewhere else, you may not have heard about all this on the news over the noise of a presidential campaign and a swimmer being a jackass in Brazil.

- The flooding is still going on. It has continued to rain down here and that hasn't helped. Interstate 10 reopened just this morning east of Lafayette. Dozens of state highways are still underwater. The water is still rising in some areas downstream.

- The rescue is still going on. There are still first responders in boats helping people. There are still thousands of people in shelters, and thousands of others who have lost everything in their homes.

- The recovery will go on for a long, long time. This is where Louisiana is going to need the most help. Please stay tuned. If you want to help now, call your people in Louisiana, we can get you directly in touch with the miracle workers.

Important Note:

- You may hear some people elsewhere arguing about the President playing golf. This is not germane to this disaster in any way. Federal authorities are here and are doing their jobs, and from all reports they are doing their jobs well, and are a tremendous help to state and local authorities who are doing their jobs well. We'll be sure to let all y'all know if something goes wrong with that. But for now, traffic is bad enough in areas affected by the flood as things stand, and a Presidential motorcade for a photo op is not necessary at this time. Please resist the urge to get distracted by this and start arguing about it. Louisiana needs real help, not fake umbrage.

Where to donate flood relief items (NOLA.COM)

If you're looking for ways to donate time, money or drop off items in the Greater New Orleans area, click here for that list. That page also has a map to help identify the closest location to you. 

 If you'd prefer to donate time, money or items for animal-specific causes, click here for that list. 

If you know of another organization that is accepted mailed donations of items, email details of what they are accepting and where items should be sent tocbrasted@nola.com. We'll update this list as that information is available. 

• United Way of Southeast Louisiana

What they need: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, pet cages, kennels, leashes, collars, pet food, cat litter, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies

Where to mail items:

United Way of Southeast Louisiana, 2515 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119

United Way of Greater New Orleans, 411 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond, LA 70403

• Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter

What they need: Leashes, pet treats, pet food, dog toys, cash donations, temporary fosters. 

Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, 1869 Ames Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072

• Companion Animal Alliance, Baton Rouge's city animal shelter

What they need: Leashes, pet treats, pet food, dog toys, cash donations, temporary fosters until transportation is available Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Where to mail items: Companion Animal Alliance, 2680 Progress Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Facts on Louisiana Flooding

This is NOT written by me, but by a lady from New Orleans on her Facebook account.

I'm getting somewhat pissed at my friends and their ignorance. Some basic facts about the current flooding in LA are in order.

First, this is not Katrina 2. It's not about levies. It's not about New Orleans. We are not flooded. It's not about canals or spillways or bad maintenance of wetlands. It's not about the Plaquemines. The areas flooding now last flooded in 1983, not in 2005 or 2011. This is not a repeating problem based on poor maintenance of infrastructure. And, BTW, did you know that levies are a FEDERAL responsibility, not a state or local one?

Second, the areas flooded are NOT "below sea level". They are in many cases not even flood zones and they were not required to have flood insurance. The entire state is NOT a swamp. They had two feet of rain in 48 hours. How would YOUR town handle that? Did you blame the people in central SC when there was a flood there for similar reasons awhile back?

Third, there are places all over the US that have repeated disasters. There's tornado alley, there's mudslides in California, there's wild fires out west. Do you talk about how people should not live in Oklahoma or Phoenix?

Fourth, when you are talking on the internet do you realize that people who are currently homeless, worried about their aged parents, their pets, their homes, their jobs could be reading what you post? And you are just saying screw them, don't rebuild, as if that were your decision in any way shape or form?

Fifth, read up on what Louisiana contributes to the US economy. New Orleans Port is easily in the top 5 in the US any way you want to measure it - volume, dollars, etc. There are federal installations here for the navy, for agriculture, for nasa, for oceanic studies, etc. There's oil rigs and oil refineries and pipe lines that effect what you pay at the pump. There's fishing and shrimping that puts food on your table. There's no way to overestimate the importance of being a gateway between the Mississippi, Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf of Mexico. There pretty much has to be a port somewhere in this area for the sake of Chicago and other points north. It's not just about gambling, beads and titties down here. Writing off half a state because it bothers you to see disaster stuff on TV is ignorant and hateful. Just stop it.

Sixth, what is happening right now with the floods is about unprecedented weather. In case you have not been paying attention, that's happening all over. It's called climate change. Sandy was a hurricane in New York and New Jersey that was at the beginning of winter - very unusual. There were floods in Colorado last year. It flooded in France this Spring. It's been hotter in Rochester than in New Orleans several times this year. The whole Atlantic coast is receding. Be careful how you talk about someone else's home when you have no clue that yours might be endangered.

This Sucks

Watching local news tonight. Flooding will continue in central Louisiana for the next few days. Least important things in our lives are Donald Trump, GOP and any other bull$hit. Hearts are breaking watching our fellow Louisianians get through this after some have experienced it just six months ago. 31 inches hit parts of Louisiana this past weekend.75% of these people did not have flood insurance, why should they? If you pray, please do a lot of it for these people. If you don't, send "good thoughts". 

Help Is On The Way

I don't know how to combine the two, but the song came to my mind when looking at the video

Sad

This is Interstate 12 going towards Baton Rouge, Louisiana. August 13, 2016.

Please - if you do so - pray for those affected.