Posted on 08/18/2016 2:24:12 PM PDT by Kaslin
Louisiana was devastated by record-level flooding last week, when an astonishing 630 inches of rain fell in a 72-hour-period, hitting both southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.
The situation has left the community devastated. Scott McKay at The American Spectator describes:
As of this writing, some 20 of the states 64 parishes are now under a disaster declaration, with another handful likely to follow as the states rivers swell beyond their banks and spill into streets and homes. More well more than 40,000 homes have been destroyed, and well north of 40,000 people have evacuated. The sheriff in Livingston Parish, just east of Baton Rouge, estimates that 105,000 people in a parish with a population of about 135,000 have lost everything. The eastern half of East Baton Rouge Parish, which lies on the opposite bank of the Amite River from Livingston, suffered similar damage.
The lesson of Hurricane Katrina was not to depend on the government to come and save you. After the floods last week, the Cajun Navy, a local volunteer group with boats and cars, deployed to rescue their troubled neighbors. No one was going to stick around waiting for the government to show up. The community has become its own first responders.
The Cajun Navy used Facebook to coordinate its rescue efforts. The Times-Picayune:
As thousands were stranded inside their homes as Louisiana floodwaters rose this weekend, social media users shared photos and thanks for the Cajun Navy. The term was affectionately applied to the many fishermen, hunters and leisure boaters who arrived to provide back up to official first responders backed up with emergency calls for stranded residents.
The Cajun Navy faced no less strenuous work, according to one such volunteer. Chris Macaluso, a Baton Rouge resident, used his own boat to help get neighbors to dry ground from his own subdivision.
I had access to a boat I could use but, man, they got a lot of (people) in duck hunting boats riding around these neighborhoods who have no idea where theyre going, but theyre just here to help, Macaluso said. This is not easy work.
#CajunNavy doing what they can to help in #BatonRougepic.twitter.com/7nltb8Q1nU
Ashley Doan (@AshleyMDoan) August 15, 2016
The reality of the Cajun Navy is everybody out here with a boat that isnt devastated gets out and helps others, said Clyde Cain, a 53-year-old from Tangipahoa Parish who runs the Facebook page Louisiana Cajun Navy. Were just one big network.
Residents from all over the state mobilized to help their flooded neighbors. Troy Green from Ascension Parish headed to East Baton Rouge Parish ready to help. "I am here to help," he said. "Where do you need me?"
#waterrescue today in #batonrouge Most were in good spirits and glad to see us. #louisianaflood #louisianastrong #louisianaproud #prodriveoutboards #unclejcustomboats #prayforlouisiana #cajunnavy A photo posted by Troy Green (@1troyg) on Aug 14, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT
Green said he had nine people, a cat, and two dogs aboard his boat. He was planning on returning the next day to retrieve a lady's bird.
The flooding has brought some looting to the stricken area. East Baton Rouge deputies arrested four men on suspicion of looting. Detectives found $750 of merchandise in their car after they were spotted leaving a car Monday night. Other reports out have the number of looters arrested at 14.
As of today, President Obama, who is on vacation, has not visited the state and its flood victims. In fact, Obama hasn't even made a statement on the devastation. The Washington Times reported that Obama was briefed on the situation and then promptly headed back to the golf course. Obama did speak with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on Wednesday from Martha's Vineyard where the president told Fugate to use all resources available to help the community. Well, Mr. President, the Cajun Navy is way ahead of you on that.
Has anyone blamed George W. Bush for this yet?
the President is in Martha’s Vineyard getting some well deserved rest. He shouldn’t be bothered with these mundane things.
When Katrina hit, Bush didn’t go because some said he hated black people. What’s Obama’s excuse?
The claim of “630 inches of rain” is specious - it’s derived from adding a bunch of rainfall observations ... it’s like saying “My family is 30 feet tall because that’s the total of our heights.”
The rip off is that Americans pay trillions of tax dollars out of their pay checks, and the corrupt, useless government is totally incompetent in emergencies. Cut the funding to every “first responder” agency that does not respond within 48 hours of a disaster. If they don’t respond, why are they getting pay checks???
No, but if he were still president the media would howling with outrage over the poor federal response. Instead, they'll praise Obama, who can't break away from his MV vacation to be bothered with this natural disaster.
Where is the Federal Government??????
Dells Army Ducks are an Adventure for the Whole Family December 30, 2015 When booking your family getaway to Wisconsin Dells, a Dells Army Duck Tour is an activity that the whole family can enjoy. Whether youre interested in the Dells unique rock formations and landscapes, or youre just in it for a ride on one of the famous amphibious vehicles, an original Army Duck Tour offers a little bit of everything. On your journey, learn about the history of the Dells area and view beautiful geological features that were created at the end of the last glacial period. One of the favorite parts of the ride among the kids is driving into the waters of Lake Delton and the Lower Wisconsin River! Although there is a splash, dont worry you wont get too wet!
Where is FEMA?
Where is Obama?
Where is Biden?
Where are all the tragedy videos on the newscasts and networks?
Where are all the travel trailer temporary homes?
Why so very different now than with Katrina? Hmm?
I swear, journalists must be some of the laziest and most credulous people on this earth.
Over 24 inches fell in some places. About 5% of the state is homeless or barely hanging on right now. That’s bad enough.
It’s all up to the coonasses, God Bless Them
OBama hates voters who do not vote for him!
My home country, and "my people", though I am now geographically far away, my heart and prayers are with them.
Bravo for the Cajun Navy!
No, this one’s on Obama, but it’s a fact that George W grew the government too.
I remember that during Katrina, FEMA told guys like this to go home, yet then didn’t step in to do the job that those guys were about to do. There was also a medical team from Florida who spent the whole disaster camped by the interstate, waiting for orders. What a mess.
This country was built on self-reliance and helping your neighbors. We ignore that legacy at our peril.
Has Sean Penn arrived to help yet? His videographer?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.