I suppose we left the mountains a moment too soon. Shortly after arriving, we hurriedly began prepping for hurricane Laura. Water, gasoline, food, and filling kerosene lanterns, which brought back memories of my childhood. As always, ever since Katrina impacted our state, Louisianians don't take these things lightly anymore. Usually, we over-prepare. The hurricanes dissipate into a tropical storm before making landfall. Laura decided to be different, I guess. As she made landfall at a CAT 4, then she sat on Lake Calcasieu for hours building steam. Destroying everything in her path. Reaching winds close to 200mph. I watched on the news as huge skyscrapers piece by piece falling apart, glass falling from 30 stories high. Meteorologists withstanding high winds, risking their lives to give us a play by play of Laura and her unrelenting power.
The day she made landfall, I thankfully was able to park my trailer at a cousin's in which it was sandwiched between two houses. It survived with no damages. Pictured above are all the limbs removed that had fallen in the driveway where our trailer is usually parked. The girls and I hunkered down with my aunt and uncle. We cleared out a safe closet that held water snacks and flashlights; hurricanes usually spawn tornadoes on its east side. Luckily we did not experience that, but the winds were so strong, even 4 hours inland, that it damaged everything it touched. Snapping trees off, debris everywhere. My family survived without any damages to their homes in central Louisiana. We were without power for many days. Thankfully my parents got power back before we hit a week of triple digits temperatures. Many down south lost their lives or was injured by the heat as everyone was scurrying to get their belongings in order.
The day after the storm, the city was out all managing their yards. Coming together and ensuring everyone was ok, helping those in need. Cleaning their yards and assessing damages. Power company trucks rolling down the street, working quickly to get the city back on its feet. Everyone licking their wounds in unison.
My brother, on the other hand, was not so lucky. They live on Lake Calcasieu, and their house has been deemed a total loss; thankfully, they evacuated once they got news of the storm surges when predicted to be over ten feet high. The mayor told his citizens to check their things then leave because he could not provide the resources needed. They predict weeks/months without power for Lake Charles's city and its surrounding areas and no freshwater. Due to these circumstances, it is difficult for people to return to a normal life. Many having to relocate until the city has fully recovered. My brother's home is pictured below.
I am sad to see Louisiana's people go through devastating blows year after year, already stricken by poverty and oppressive heat. It is refreshing to see the communities coming together and supporting each other regardless of what mainstream news media tries to project about our country. Peace and love filled the air as everyone congregated and got through this together. While we still had the low life looters taking advantage of the situation. The good in the world overpowers the bad. We have to keep that in mind daily. I pray for those who all have been affected by this storm and hope life can return to normal as soon as possible. I am thankful and singing praises as I see linemen in these extreme temperatures all day and night, working relentlessly to get power back. God is good to all of us. God bless.