Three years ago when my husband got out of the military we decided to settle here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I have never lived in a city where people genuinely care about you. If you aren't from here you don't understand that Southern hospitality runs in our blood. I happen to be blessed enough to work for one of the best companies in Baton Rouge.
Last week rain started to fall over Southern Louisiana. Over 3 days we took on over 30 inches of rain. Some news media have stated that enough rain fell to fill 400 TRILLION Olympic swimming pools! All of this rain has caused record breaking flooding and has displaced over 200,000 people and damaged over 40,000 homes. 30,000 people were rescued and 10,000 are living in shelters through out the city. So far the flooding has claimed the life of 11 people.
In Livingston Parish alone the Sheriff has estimated that over 75% of the parish flooded and 90% would be considered a total loss.
Most of the people were either not required by FEMA to carry flood insurance or if they did have flood insurance they did not have contents coverage. To put this in terms you will understand....THEY LOST EVERYTHING!
While I was very fortunate to come out of the flood unscathed a lot of my friends/co-workers did not. The past few days I've felt so guilty because I can take a shower or cook a meal in my kitchen. Simple things that we take for granted so many cannot do at this time.
If I could get 1,500 people donate just $20 I could reach my goal of $30,000. This could help my co-workers start rebuilding their lives so they can get back to living a normal life.
**UPDATE: This GoFundMe account is for 3 co-workers (Megan Shaw, Jeanne Laborde & Lainey Franklin) to help them either rehab their home or furnish a new home. All proceeds are being sent directly to Megan Shaw for her to split amongst the 3 of them.
Last week rain started to fall over Southern Louisiana. Over 3 days we took on over 30 inches of rain. Some news media have stated that enough rain fell to fill 400 TRILLION Olympic swimming pools! All of this rain has caused record breaking flooding and has displaced over 200,000 people and damaged over 40,000 homes. 30,000 people were rescued and 10,000 are living in shelters through out the city. So far the flooding has claimed the life of 11 people.
In Livingston Parish alone the Sheriff has estimated that over 75% of the parish flooded and 90% would be considered a total loss.
Most of the people were either not required by FEMA to carry flood insurance or if they did have flood insurance they did not have contents coverage. To put this in terms you will understand....THEY LOST EVERYTHING!
While I was very fortunate to come out of the flood unscathed a lot of my friends/co-workers did not. The past few days I've felt so guilty because I can take a shower or cook a meal in my kitchen. Simple things that we take for granted so many cannot do at this time.
If I could get 1,500 people donate just $20 I could reach my goal of $30,000. This could help my co-workers start rebuilding their lives so they can get back to living a normal life.
**UPDATE: This GoFundMe account is for 3 co-workers (Megan Shaw, Jeanne Laborde & Lainey Franklin) to help them either rehab their home or furnish a new home. All proceeds are being sent directly to Megan Shaw for her to split amongst the 3 of them.
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan Shaw
Beneficiary