September 18, 2020 | 9:35 a.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Karlnell held tightly to his son, Kasan, as they sat on their couch and waited for Hurricane Laura to pass. After hours of waiting to see if their house would survive the storm, the two emerged to find their community of Lake Charles without power and water.
“The storm was scary,” says Kasan, “because the wind was pushing real hard and sounded like waves pushing against the house.”
As someone who works in construction, Karlnell soon got word that the storm had temporarily put him out of work. With no power, no water, and his city in disarray, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do.
Fortunately, he heard about the Convoy of Hope distribution taking place near his home. He and Kasan came through the walk-up distribution line each day to pick up snacks and other supplies. Kasan loved the cookies and applesauce; Karlnell was appreciative of the food and the supplies, especially the ice and the tarps. With that little bit of extra support, Karlnell is confident they’ll make it through until his work starts back up.
A little bit of kindness goes a long way, especially after disaster strikes. Thank you for supporting Convoy of Hope as we continue to serve those suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.
September 17, 2020 | 4:25 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Hurricane Laura’s record-breaking winds and torrential rains are now officially responsible for 72 deaths and more than $10.1 billion in damage. The storm inflicted serious damage to the power and water grids of the communities it passed over.
Convoy of Hope entered the fourth week of responding to Hurricane Laura. In that time, Convoy has sent more than 90 loads of product — totaling more than 2 million pounds of food and relief supplies — to the area. With the help of local churches, businesses, and organizational partners, we’ve been able to help tens of thousands of people as they traverse the complicated aftermath of this natural disaster.
September 9, 2020 | 4:39 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Convoy of Hope’s work in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura continues this week. Here’s the latest update from Stacy Lamb, Senior Director of U.S. Disaster Services.
September 8, 2020 | 5:30 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — COVID-19 has brought challenges and changes in the way we all live, work, and play. It’s also brought changes to how Convoy of Hope responds to disasters.
When Hurricane Laura was forming and forecast to be the first significant hurricane of the 2020 season, Convoy’s Disaster Services team was preparing to deploy. But their work actually began months ago as they planned for responses in a COVID-19 world.
“The safety of those we are serving is top priority,” says Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope’s National Spokesperson. “We want to provide help to meet immediate needs of those impacted by the storm, but we also want to ensure everyone’s health is protected.”
New protocols and procedures have been put in place to keep our team members, volunteers, and those we serve safe. Temperature checks, masks, social distancing, and limiting volunteers are all precautions Convoy of Hope has implemented to provide a safe environment for everyone involved. Convoy continues to serve thousands of people around the world — even in the midst of the pandemic. We’ve quickly adapted to continue serving those in need.
September 4, 2020 | 11:30 a.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Hurricane Laura — the tenth-strongest U.S. hurricane landfall on record — caused the deaths of at least 24 people in the U.S. and inflicted an estimated $8.7 billion in insured damage in Southwestern Louisiana and Southeastern Texas. There are still more than 250,000 people without power. Water is also a major issue with an estimated 70 water systems still down across the state.
Convoy of Hope has established a base of operations in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where we are running daily drive through distributions and are resourcing surrounding communities through local partners. Power and water remain completely out in Lake Charles, and it could be weeks before both are restored.
Response by the Numbers
| Pounds of Resources Delivered | 1,369,240 |
| Families Served | 12,000 |
| Individuals Served | 37,680 |
| Volunteers Engaged | 191 |
| Volunteer Hours Worked | 1,025 |
| Cities Served | 12 |
September 3, 2020 | 5:05 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Convoy of Hope has delivered more than 1.1 million pounds of disaster relief supplies in response to Hurricane Laura. With widespread power outages and numerous water systems down, Convoy of Hope is serving storm survivors with basic necessities, such as food, water, ice, and hygiene supplies.
“We have more than 70 tractor-trailer loads of supplies on the ground or en route,” says Stacy Lamb, Convoy of Hope’s U.S. Disaster Services Senior Director. “The need is great — people are without food and water, and we’re here to help meet those basic needs. We are distributing relief supplies to families and individuals from a point of distribution, and we’re resourcing multiple partners and churches in surrounding communities.”
Convoy has already helped nearly 27,000 people with relief supplies and will be in the affected area distributing items for weeks to come.
August 31, 2020 | 4:05 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — With more than 350,000 people still without power along the Gulf Coast, gaining access to basic necessities is proving to be more and more difficult for thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Laura. Some reports say it could take weeks — maybe even a month — for power to be restored. That means closed stores and an almost impossible set of circumstances for individuals and families who need food, ice, and hygiene supplies.
Over the weekend, Convoy of Hope distributed relief supplies to more than 1,500 families impacted by Hurricane Laura. Convoy is distributing food, water, cleanup supplies, tarps, ice, baby kits, and hygiene kits through a drive-thru distribution in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We’ve also set up a point of distribution in Monroe, Louisiana, where a drive-thru distribution started yesterday.
On top of widespread power outages, the Louisiana Department of Health estimates that more than 200,000 people are without water. Convoy has already committed more than 20 tractor-trailer loads of water to the area.
Starting this week, we’ll distribute supplies to partners and churches in the surrounding communities. Convoy of Hope will be serving disaster survivors for several weeks. You can help provide hope and much-needed supplies by donating to our Hurricane Laura response here.
August 29, 2020 | 2:45 p.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — As the death toll has climbed past 14, the people in and around Lake Charles, Louisiana, are feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Laura. Unfortunately, much of the damage is unknown, as many areas are still inaccessible.
Convoy of Hope’s distribution of relief supplies started this morning and will continue into the afternoon. Cars were lined up early to receive help, as many are without electricity and water. Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team is passing out food, water, and cleanup supplies from a point of distribution site. Door-to-door distribution is expected to start as soon as affected neighborhoods become accessible.
August 28, 2020 | 10 a.m.
LAKE CHARLES, LA — Hurricane Laura made landfall along the Texas-Louisiana coastline early yesterday morning as a Category 4 hurricane — the region’s strongest storm in more than a century. At least four people were killed in Louisiana, and more than 910,000 homes and businesses were left without power. Wind gusts of more than 120 mph ripped away roofs, snapped trees, bent steel poles and lampposts, and ripped street signs from the ground. Some coastal areas were covered with more than 9 feet of water.
Damage has also been reported in Texas and Arkansas. A Convoy of Hope Disaster Services team deployed to the affected area on Wednesday. Yesterday, they departed from where they were pre-positioning in Dallas, Texas, for Lake Charles, Louisiana. Our team worked late into the night Thursday setting up a hub of operation including a temporary warehouse. Distribution of food, water, and relief supplies will start tomorrow.
At least five more tractor-trailers filled with supplies are arriving today and the distribution of relief supplies will start as soon as possible. Special observances are being made to protect those we serve and our team members from COVID-19 during the response. Lake Charles is facing enormous challenges — the entire city is without power and water. As residents come back to the devastation, they’ll be in need of food, water, and relief supplies.
August 27, 2020 | 9:05 a.m.
DALLAS, TX — Last night, Hurricane Laura descended on the Louisiana-Texas coast as a Category 4 storm. Packing 150 mph winds and torrential rains, it made landfall around Cameron, Louisiana. Many details about damage and the potential loss of life are still unknown, but the latest developments show that Laura has weakened to a Category 2 storm. The hurricane is still dangerous with winds clocking in at 110 mph. Laura will likely become a tropical storm later today as it moves into Arkansas.
The National Hurricane Center warned the surge could be “unsurvivable” in some areas. Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team pre-positioned themselves in Dallas yesterday and will be departing for the Lake Charles area within the hour. With more than 20 staff and 15 vehicles, our team is prepared to distribute food, water, and other relief supplies to those who have been affected.
August 25, 2020 | 3:30 p.m.
Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team is deploying in response to Hurricane Laura. According to the National Hurricane Center, Laura is expected to make landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border as a major hurricane later this week.
Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope’s National Spokesperson, said, “With staff and supplies in close proximity, Convoy’s Disaster Services team can respond quickly when needed.”
Convoy of Hope will arrive in the anticipated impact area on Wednesday and will pre-position several truckloads of disaster relief supplies to help communities in the storm’s path. Convoy is prepared to distribute food, water, hygiene kits, and other disaster relief supplies at a drive-thru point of distribution site. Teams will also deliver supplies door-to-door in neighborhoods affected by the storm.
