The flooding of Louisiana has been considered the worst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy struck in October 2012. The rain began on Aug. 12, with major thunderstorms. Residents began to get concerned after the constant raining and storming would not stop.
The water level kept rising and surpassed over 40 inches. In just one week alone, about 6.9 trillion gallons of rain fell in the state of Louisiana. In some parts of the state, more than 30 inches of rain fell in only 15 hours. Now, thousands of people have lost all of their belongings, including their homes and cars.
“Thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and need our help now,” Brad Kieserman, the vice president of the Red Cross said.
So far, an estimated 30,000 people have been rescued by the Coast Guard, law enforcement, rescue parties and even other neighbors, with 13 people being officially pronounced dead.
More rain is expected to hit, but it’s not expected to be as bad as the previous storms. Louisiana is desperate for help and money. The total damages are estimated to be about $30 million, and over 700 people are staying in emergency shelters because their homes have been destroyed.
“I bought enough food to last for a week in case we were flooded in, but I wasn’t prepared for this much devastation,” Jo Lee Minster, a resident who lost almost everything as a result of this natural disaster, said.
As the rebuilding process begins, more problems are getting in the way of the residents. One of the many problems is mold. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the mold can cause severe allergic reactions and even fatal respiratory seizures.
“Mold removal is our top priority,” the State Department said a few days after the flood.
There is one major problem with removing the mold, though: it’s extremely difficult to do. Being exposed to the mold could cause serious illness, especially if one has a cut or an open wound.
Putting on any sort of protective gear would make it very hot for the workers because most air conditioning machines were lost in the flood. Any air conditioners that still work could spread mold throughout the house.
Even though this terrible natural disaster has affected thousands of lives in Louisiana, they now know how to prepare for another disaster like this one. The process of rebuilding will take time, but ultimately, residents of Louisiana will all have a safe environment to live in, free from any dangers that may cause them harm.