What a huge area of devastation it looks to be. My parents are still in Texas with my niece and her family. My uncle was safe at his lake house though I would have gone farther away if I had been making that decision. They’re all chomping at the bit to get back home and secure their places but it just isn’t a good place to be now – especially for older folks.
The entire area is without power and it literally may be months before power is restored. When Hurricane Rita hit, the damage wasn’t nearly so bad and some people went 3 to 4 weeks without power. There’s no water. The place is truly a disaster.
I’m not much of a betting person but I’d about bet there are any houses without some damage.
When you think things cannot get worse, they do!
For those not familiar with the area, the big bridge (that I’ve posted about before – how much I fear that bridge) . . on the right (east) side is Lake Charles. If you cross the bridge going towards the yellow building, that’s the west side and that area is Westlake, which is where I grew up, graduated from high school and still have lots of friends. Many years ago, long after I had left home, my parents moved to Moss Bluff, which is north of Lake Charles.
Somehow, with everything going on, there was a chemical leak and fire. It’s been burning all day. The interstate is closed due to the fire. Everyone is supposed to have windows closed, a/c off (which it would be anyway unless they have generators).
This article explains it all.
There are, of course, no grocery stores open, no restaurants open – not much of anything open. I saw a video this morning of a string of what appeared to be hundreds of ambulances heading to the area to evacuate people from hospitals.
I’ve begged my parents to let me come and get them, bring them back to MO where there’s plenty of room. Even if I have to go back to Texas for a few days here and there and pack, I could leave them with supplies and I seem to have excellent neighbors here in MO who would help them if they needed help. Right now, they’re saying no but give them a week or so with no running water or electricity and they may take me up on that offer.
There is just so much damage and with building materials everywhere being in short supply, I just cannot imagine the headaches the folks in that devastated area are going to face trying to repair and rebuild their homes.
Chad stayed south of Dallas last night but now they’re headed to Baton Rouge, which wasn’t hit so bad but there’s just no place for the crews to stay in the hardest hit area so I’m not real sure what the plans are. Chad and his crew just do what they’re told and right now, they’re on their way to Baton Rouge.
Homes can be repaired; power can be restored. Everyone is safe and that’s what matters most.
Jane says
Prayers for your family and all who live in the area of the devastation. I hope they take you up on your offer. Prayers also for Chad and his crew. The hurricane area will take a long time to be restored. I was in Galveston months after Katrina and the area was still just beginning the recovery. Prayers for everyone to stay safe and well.
Claudia Duke says
Been looking at pictures all day. My friend and her husband evacuated to Natchez. They are planning to go back tomorrow. She may come here (Houston) to stay with me for a while. It just looks so sad. We watched a couple of drive throughs people did. My husband kept pointing out places and commenting. We have several other friends there. So sad. Hopefully your parents agree to come stay with you for a bit. Prayers for them.
DarW says
So glad to hear your family is safe, been checking in off and on all day. Thanks for the update!
Dottie Newkirk says
It is so sad. Glad your family is ok and it is so understandable that they want to go check things out, even though there’s not much they can do, sadly. And, for those of us who’ve experienced some of those losses, it’s so frustrating “waiting” for some sort of normalcy to return. Prayers for y’all.
Beth says
If Chad needs anything, I’m not far from Baton Rouge In Hammond. I’m in Baton Rouge all the time
April Reeves says
I was thinking, I could bring cookies to chad’s crew. It made me chuckle seeing this comment and thinking of Chad explaining to his crew why all these older ladies keep bringing him things. lol.
Judy Laquidara says
He did pass through your area. In fact, somewhere around Gonzales or Breaux Bridge (I forgot where) is where they got rear-ended.
Mary says
So glad your family is okay. Hope they don’t find too much destruction at home.
anudge says
So glad your family is okay, Judy. We have friends and my daughter’s BFF live in Sulphur. They were told to stay inside because of that chemical fire. They’ve now left for Katy, TX. Hope they can find a place.
barbara woods says
I was afraid you might not have power, so glad you do
Nelle Coursey says
My friend in La told me that most of the deaths were caused by falling trees. So sad, one is too many! Praying for all involved!
April Reeves says
5 deaths so far from CO poisoning from generator fumes. So sad. I now have a CO monitor from your blogging insistence.
Judy Laquidara says
Thank you for having one! The ones in our new house looked like they’ve been there a while so they’ve already been replaced. Unlike smoke detectors, CO alarms have an expiration date and do need to be replaced every so often (and I don’t know the number of years they’re good for!).