New Distribution Site Opens in Louisiana
Hurricane Gustav has left nearly two million Gulf Coast residents without power. Three more storms are coming on its heels — Hurricane Hannah is expected to strike as soon as Friday, followed by Tropical Storms Ike and Josephine.
A Category 2 Hurricane, Gustav made landfall in Cocodrie, La. Monday. Significant flooding is expected throughout the region as all eyes remain on the levees. Gustav also caused flooding in some Florida locations, including Orlando and Sanford. In Louisiana, all parishes were closed with roads blocked as 1.4 million people remain without power (estimated to be down another two to three weeks), and boil water orders are in effect in two parishes.
“This is shaping up to be an active hurricane season,” said President Hal Donaldson. “We’re prepared to empty our warehouse if necessary to help people in their time of need. We’re counting on the generosity of donors, churches, and corporate partners to come alongside us at this crucial time.” Will you help?
Convoy of Hope has U.S. Disaster Response personnel currently working with state and county officials in the Louisiana Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge.
Additional Disaster Response Team members waited out the storm in Jackson, Miss. Monday night, pushing south into New Iberia, La. on Tuesday. As they pulled into an abandoned parking lot to set up a Point of Distribution (POD), fourteen cars followed the Convoy of Hope trucks, forging the flooded entrance to receive much-needed help. This POD opened for business Wednesday morning, serving over 850 families in the first few hours of operation!
From here we will serve the hard-hit areas of Houma, New Iberia, Lafayette, La. and other areas as needed. We are receiving multiple requests for assistance and relief products from hospitals and other entities as we continually monitor the affected areas and the potential to set up additional PODs. Eager to serve, volunteer teams are coming from across the country.
You can help!
As we respond to Hurricane Gustav, Convoy of Hope staff continues to monitor the development of Hurricane Hannah, which could escalate and create additional needs. Additional storms – Ike and Josephine – have also formed in the Atlantic. Your online gift will be put to immediate use bringing help and hope to the victims of Gustav and the storms that are following closely.
“Though Gustav’s initial damage is not as bad as it could have been, two million people remain displaced, with 1.4 million households without power,” said U.S. Disaster Response Director Kary Kingsland. Further complicating matters, Gustav today introduced tornados, with warnings throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.
If you would like to help, click here to make a secure online donation.
Convoy of Hope receives excellent ratings from two nationally recognized charity watchdog groups. Charity Navigator gave it their coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and the Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America awarded it the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, for meeting the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. Fewer than 5% of charities in America meet or exceed these standards. Historically, less than 10% of donations are used for Convoy of Hope operations.
Corporate and private partnerships allow Convoy of Hope to multiply every donated dollar to about $7 of actual relief product; $6,000 can fill an eighteen-wheeler with relief product, serving upwards of 7,000 people.
Convoy of Hope has been active in the Gulf Coast since Katrina devastated the area in 2005.