Louisiana Flooding

As church members know, my father’s entire side of the family is from Louisiana.

The historic and devastating floods that have hit that part of the country have been close to my heart. Fortunately, at present my family is safe and the flood damage has been comparatively light. However, in other parts of the state the damage has been catastrophic.

Fortunately, Week of Compassion (the disaster and emergency response ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)) is already there. The faithful servants at Week of Compassion sent the following update early this week:

Heavy rains that began on August 11 and continued through the weekend have caused historic flooding in south Louisiana, especially around the Baton Rouge area.

By Monday morning, more than 20,000 residents had evacuated their homes. Among those who have evacuated are 27 families from First Christian Church, Baton Rouge.

According to Rev. David Chisham, pastor of First Christian Church Baton Rouge, no in-kind donations are needed at this moment. Instead, we encourage financial gifts, which can be used to meet immediate needs as they arise. As the church prepares to be a host site in partnership with the Red Cross, they are organizing volunteers for food prep, janitorial support, and laundry service.

Week of Compassion has been in regular contact with Rev. Chisham and Regional Minister, Rev. Nadine Burton. We have provided a grant to help meet the immediate needs of evacuees and will offer additional support as the extent of the damage becomes clear. Rev. Chisham told Week of Compassion Associate Director, Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold: "The numbers of those affected continues to rise as the mass of water moves south. Houses that were dry one day are full of water the next. We look forward to supporting our greater community, and God has been faithful in providing resources for us to respond to the need."

Additionally, with support from Week of Compassion, Children’s Disaster Services is deploying two teams of specialists to Baton Rouge. CDS associate director Kathy Fry-Miller reports: "They will be able to care for evacuated children in two shelters.”

To support flood relief in Louisiana, donate online by clicking weekofcompassion.org/donate and designate your gift for US Storms and Fires.

Please continue to keep Louisiana, everyone impacted by these terrible floods, and Week of Compassion in your prayers.