As damage continues to be assessed from Hurricane Isaias, Louisiana volunteers are investing time to support the affected communities in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama.
In Slidell, Forged by Fire Ministries loaded up around 10 trailers of aid supplies to send to Shalimar, Florida.
“They need help,” said Paul Ernewein, pastor and director of Forged by Fire Ministries, “And until you’ve lived through it, you can’t understand what they need.”
Inside the trailers are generators, water, 250 boxes filled with five days’ worth of food inside, and other necessary supplies.
Ernewein hopes to be in Shalimar by Thursday, and will cook hot meals for affected communities alongside about 20 volunteers.
“We also have a group of volunteers that will be doing chainsaw work and debris removal. And if needed, we’ll bring our laundry trailer to help those in need,” he said.
Ernewein said he and his wife Peggy were joined by four volunteers in Slidell to pack up trailers. Efforts to put together aid began on Wednesday, he said.
The Red Cross is also providing aid to Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.
After assessing that Louisiana would avoid much of the impact, Red Cross volunteers transported aid materials across State lines to the affected areas.
“We had about eight volunteers from Louisiana that drove vehicles there that made sure that people were ready, that they had supplies when it was needed,” said Kenneth St. Charles, American Red Cross regional chief executive officer. “We were certainly ready to help people, either in Louisiana or outside of Louisiana.”
Before the storm made landfall, the Red Cross opened 21 shelters across the three impacted states, housing 1,160 people.
The United Way of Southeast Louisiana also has efforts underway.
The nonprofit is currently raising funds through the United Way Emerald Coast Disaster Relief Fund to help families rebuild.
Those wishing to donate can click here.
