I've been in touch with most of our flying buddies in the the LA. flood zone and they say the devastation is absolutely terrible. Now it is well over 60,000 flooded homes and still counting. Only a small percentage w/flood insurance. According to the flood map our new flying site in Zachary, LA.(DOYLE'S BAYOU PARK) stayed high and dry except for some water that may have come onto the east side of the circles a little and into the east tree line on the east park boundary. This has long since drained.
The Best Western in Zachary where everyone made reservations assured us we still have the rooms for Oct. 14, 15TH. They are currently occupied by flood victims. The only way reservations could be cancelled would be if big brother said they had to continue housing victims which is fine they are the priority. We will stay on top of this and post any changes, but as it stands now we gonna have a contest! OH!! We will be better able to tell in about three weeks. I heard a rumor from another part of the country that the Zachary Best Western was flooded real bad and that the contest site was under 6' of water. Simply not true!! Even the restaurant reserved for the Sat. nite contest supper was not flooded, but believe me everything else in the area was underwater.
One of our club member's home in Denham Springs had water to the roof edge, another member in Gonzales, LA. had 3' in home. Another had 3-4' in his daughter's home which was located only a few blocks from his home which stayed dry (Greenwell Springs, LA). Brent Rogillio's mother-in-law's home was flooded- I believe in the Baker area.
In all these cases our guys with the help of neighbors, kin, and friends have already completely gutted and begun the drying process. Some have days ago purchased their sheet rock and supplies in adjourning states( stores are holding them till needed. The volunteerism from what I hear is amazing. People all over are forming make shift organizations, collecting supplies, and dispersing as fast as possible. One shopping mall has scores of vendors cooking and sending out food to the neighborhoods and surrounding areas, churches local and out of state are getting and sending out stuff as fast as they get it. FEMA AND BIG BRO are slowly beginning to get their hands out their royal arse, but I tell you these people for the most part don't give a rip what FEMA DOES OR DOES NOT DO. Of course, in other disasters people and volunteer organizations really get behind the "8" ball and help, but this is a little different down there now. They are really showing an independent can do mentality. They are really what good people in LA. are about- unlike what was exhibited in N.O. IN 2005. Need to continue to pray for these hard hit people. Most all have lost everything, plus lack of flood insurance for most.
As an example, My son Jody and his wife, Darla, in Fort Worth, TX., wanted to do something for LA, so they simply contacted a large trucking company in Fort Worth and they ended up getting the company to commit trailers, tractors, and driver. The company said, "You fill'em we'll deliver. This was only a few days ago. They got the first trailer filled this morning. Now they are working on another trailer.
This whole mess is bringing out the best in a lot of people. Dat's all.
Doug
Topic: baton rouge (Read 2425 times)
