Went up to help gut a friend of a friend’s house yesterday. The city (and a big chunk of the River Parishes) are about where you’d expect a week out from the deluge. Most homeowners are already deep in the process of hauling, sorting, gutting that must be done. Aspergillus is serious business. Literally take your breath away.
Some are still shell-shocked and have to be shepherded through the process. Some have no kids or resourceful friends to do the grunt work, so there are a zillion volunteers helping with the process. If you’re nearby and wish to help, Together Baton Rouge is organizing gut crews. They are also coordinating direct donations to people in need from those outside the area.
The Red Cross is, as usual, doing an admirable job of getting food, water, and immediate needs into the neighborhoods. Another organization doing excellent work getting food and hygiene products where they’re needed quickly is Second Harvest of New Orleans and the River Parishes. They’re seriously on the case right now and using donations quite efficiently.
It’s a tough haul and a long one. As I saw countless times here after the Federal Flood, people are, on the whole, slogging ahead, one foot in front of the other. Gut today, paperwork tomorrow, maybe the bulldozers and dump trucks will come Wednesday.
They’re doing their best, and a darn good job at that. If you can give ‘em a little help, please do.