Photo: Devastating floodwaters swept through Louisiana after 34 inches of ran fell in the span of 15 hours in mid-August. Mennonite Disaster Service is calling for more volunteers to help with recovering efforts. Photo from Creative Commons. 

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers have begun the arduous process of mucking out and cleaning up homes in the town of Central, Louisiana, resulting from the worst United States disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. There is a need for more volunteers.

An “unnamed” storm, but just as devastating as any named storm of its magnitude, dropped up to 34 inches of rain in the span of 15 hours across south central Louisiana in mid-August, causing massive flooding in and around Baton Rouge and forcing tens of thousands from their homes.

Volunteers from MDS and other agencies are now spreading out across the flood area which stretches from New Iberia west of Baton Rouge, through Lafayette to Baton Rouge and then north and east to Central, Zachary and other towns.

Some 128,000 people have applied for assistance from the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Thousands of business have been flooded.

MDS is focusing its work at the moment on Central and the surrounding communities.

“The search and rescue efforts by first responders was a huge effort,” Larry Stoner, MDS regional operations coordinator said after visiting the region last week after the flood.

“The amount of debris I saw along the streets and in talking to church folks here, the need is huge and the recovery effort will be long,” Stoner said.  “People’s lives will be changed for years to come. Many businesses will not reopen.”

While there are volunteers in the areas, Stoner said it was neighbor helping neighbor for the most part to clear out houses. Many of the homes in the area are without basements, but also without second floors. So, when homes were filled with 6-8 feet of water in some places there were no options but to flee.

For MDS, there is an immediate need for more volunteers to muck out and clean up, as well as project leaders to assist the homeowners in gaining access to volunteers and assistance.

“We are hopeful our Anabaptist brother and sisters will step up and offer some time to help the folks in Louisiana,” Kevin King, executive director of MDS said. “It is a long way from home for many of us, but MDS has lodging, food and showers and all the equipment needed for the job.”

“MDS will be there for the long haul,” King said. “But we could use more volunteers now and in the coming weeks.”

To volunteer in Louisiana call MDS (717) 735-3536 or apply online at: https://mds.mennonite.net/gulf-states-flooding-form/.