Unprecedented Flooding Brings Extraordinary Care

A foot of rain was dumped on Lake Charles Louisiana in just 12 hours.

“I had to get out of the house” says Elridge. “And when I got out there to get in my truck, I was in knee-deep water.”

Flash flooding forced people out of their homes for the 3rd time in a year. Louisiana Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser.

“Areas flooded that never flooded before” says Lt. Gov. Nungesser. “This area has been hit hard by several hurricanes and then, the, the unprecedented rains. I just can't imagine going through that again and again.”

Elridge says, “everything had been floated around in here and I did what I could to try to keep it up decent. “When I finished my little house, it was just two weeks later that it flooded again.”

Elridge’s flood insurance will cover repairs, but first he needed to remove the water-soaked drywall before mold set in.

“It'll take me a month or so to finish up” says Elridge. “Suffering with sugar diabetes, my legs and my ankles be swelling on me. It's just rough man, it's rough. I'm just not healthy enough no more.”

Thanks to Operation Blessing partners and volunteers, we were able to provide help to Elridge right in his time of need.

Lt. Gov. Nungesser says, “today, I’m here just to say thank you, and I see it on the faces of these people you're helping. Many of them would have probably given up had it not been by the sacrifice of the many people with your group, here, helping gut homes and, and rebuild their lives. Operation Blessing has been here many times on the ground, and they do incredible work. I can't thank y’all enough.”

“Oh man, it’s a good thing that they came” says Elridge. “Very appreciative of every everybody that's coming out here and helping me out. I’m very appreciative of that. Thank God there's a blessing, Operation Blessing.