Church lends Helping Hand to Hurricane-Struck Louisiana City
Mary Ann TaylorPhotos by Austin Romney
“It’s worse.” That was the report from Gonzales, Louisiana. Volunteers from southern Dallas County to Navarro County made the 7-hour drive to help just as they had to Houston four years ago for Hurricane Harvey. When members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put on their identifying yellow Helping Hands vests, the serious work begins. On September 18th and 19th, the vests came out of storage, coordinated assignments were made, and piles of debris were sent to curbs.
Hurricane Ida has tied with the 2020 Hurricane Laura and Last Island hurricane in 1856 as the three strongest storms ever to hit Louisiana. Fifty billion dollars in damage is the current estimate. But facts and figures can’t capture the devastation of homes and businesses or the smell of mold and mildew.
Gonzales is a small town—just over 12,000 residents—located about 60 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Famous for its jambalaya festival, Gonzales is a thriving place. This year will be different. The mayor has already canceled the senior citizen center’s Christmas party, and volunteers will be heading out for the next several weekends.
It’s a massive effort to shovel out so much muck and tear out so much drywall. However, it’s important to note that individuals must do this work because FEMA policy does not allow the city to send its contractors onto private property. Therefore, those smiling faces in the brightly colored Helping Hands vests are essential to restoring order and bringing hope to many in this time of genuine need.
