Ten Days After Hurricane Isaac

"We need people with strong hands and strong backs to help with roofing repairs for people impacted by Hurricane Isaac." Ten days after a state of emergency was declared in Louisiana, HFI staffer Craig Snow is leading emergency response teams in the Plaquemines Parish, located southeast of New Orleans. The area was one of the hardest hit during Isaac, a Category 1 hurricane that made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi August 29.
"It is amazing how much additional damage occurs after major disasters because of damaged roofs," explains Craig. "A relatively simple fix of blue-tarping a roof that has been damaged can literally save a home, and allow a family to move back in after an evacuation scenario."

With thousands evacuated due to power outages and flooding up to five feet, the storm brings back images from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans almost exactly seven years ago. For many residents, the damage from Isaac is worse than Katrina. At least seven people were killed during the storm, five in Louisiana and two in Mississippi.

"I don't know what the News is telling people now about Hurricane Isaac, but our guys just got into some of the flood areas of Plaquemines Parish and the damage is extensive," HFI Reservist Stuart Rayner said. "Many of these people are devastated and have lost everything."

One of the homeowner's aided by Hope Force Reservists was Tiffany Dusang, who said that she and her fiancé chose to wait out the storm with their children until the National Guard issued a mandatory evacuation. They were able to return home the next morning to survey damages.

"The first people we saw were from Hope Force, which is really an inspiration" Dusang said. "We need help down here and you're here to help us. We thank you so much."  (Click here to view Jack Minton?s interview with Tiffany)

Another resident Hope Force met, named Michael, also waited out the storm with his family, who took shelter in their attic after the wind began pushing the front of their home inward. Reservists were able to fix damages to his roof.

"I've been here about 52 years and I've never seen the water come up quite as high as it has," Michael said. "The whole family was just huddled together. We were really scared. It was a terrible night and day."

The extensive flooding occurred as flood waters rose over a levee, leaving many people in the Plaquemines Parish stranded on their rooftops. While controlled breaches are being used to pump water out of the area, Hope Force remains the only disaster relief organization working to help residents salvage their homes in this area.

"Imagine what it is like to brave a monster storm, and then to be faced with the threat of losing what is left," HFI Co-Founder Cherie Minton said. "Hope Force is about bringing comfort and emotional and spiritual care -- whether it is through chaplaincy, mucking out a home, offering medical services, or blue tarping a roof to save what's left of a home and its contents."

The devastation in Louisiana extends far beyond the Plaquemines Parish. The first official estimates report that Hurricane Isaac affected at least 13,000 homes throughout the state, meaning that damages could top $2 billion.

"We are calling in more people as what we are doing now is a mere drop in the bucket of what needs to be done," Minton said. "We could use more workers, and also the funding to carry it out.  The need is great!"