Mallory Dickerson
Political science sophomore
Beginning on Aug. 12, 2016, southeastern Louisiana experienced a historical flood. According to coverage by CNN, in one part of Livingston Parish, more than 31 inches of rain fell in 15 hours. More than 30,000 residents and 1,400 pets were rescued by their neighbors and various organizations, and 7,000 people waited in emergency shelters as the rain swallowed their homes and possessions. However, the destruction Mother Nature inflicted extended far beyond materials. As people’s homes were destroyed and their possessions were taken, their hopes and dreams were swallowed. Southeastern Louisiana’s faith in human compassion dwindled as their suffering was ignored by national media outlets.
Yet, as southeastern Louisiana suffered, it found salvation in its community. Local restaurants, unaffected by the flood, opened for extended hours to donate food to shelters and to those who could not afford a hot meal. The “Cajun Navy,” a group of numerous individuals from various parishes, formed to rescue helpless members of their community when the National Guard was not available. Southeastern Louisiana was weak and tired, but it was not defeated.
The strength of a community is a powerful thing. As southeastern Louisiana was seemingly helpless and nationally ignored, it grew stronger because of its communal support. However, the fight is not over yet. Debris and parts of houses still litter the streets, pets are still waiting to be returned to their owners and local businesses are still rebuilding almost two months after the historic flood. Yet the morale of the people is stronger than ever because of their community, neighbors, friends and family being there to help when the nation was not.
While the help we needed wasn’t there when we needed them the most, maybe we didn’t need them anyway.
