After a week of constant flooding, northern Louisiana is reeling with the consequences of natural disasters. If one has stepped foot in Louisiana during the summer, they know that afternoon storms bringing high precipitation levels and flooding on a small scale is just part of the scenery. However, no one expected the flooding that was to come this past week.
Many parishes in the northeast part of the state have been affected with thousands of people having to be rescued from their homes, cars or workplaces. 62 miles of Louisiana interstate were completely shut down leaving hundreds stranded for more than a day. According to Governer John Bel Edwards, as many as 40,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Many citizens of Baton Rouge and Denham Springs are still displaced, taking refuge in shelters or friends’ homes who were lucky enough to live on high ground.
The rain began falling Thursday night in Baton Rouge and moved south. The Red Cross is calling it the ‘country’s worst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy.’ Many of the animal shelters have flooded causing the removal of animals to other locations. Shelters surrounding the effected area are at full capacity and in desperate need of supplies.
Starkville has come together to answer the pleas for help in as many ways as possible.
The Starkville Police and animal services officers are pairing with Healing Place Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana for Operation Blessings. They will be collecting various items, including cleaning items, brooms, masks, paper towels, bleach, toiletries, non-perishable foods and hygiene products. Baby supplies such as diapers, formula and baby wipes are also appreciated.
They are also asking that people donate whatever animal supplies they can. This includes food, leashes, bowls, bedding and blankets.
Corporal Mandy Wilson of the Starkville Police Department emphasized the essential need for cleaning supplies as many of the people in Louisiana are in the process of stripping their homes, but nothing will be turned down.
“We want to move things into people’s hands as soon as possible,” Wilson said.
The Police Department and Animal Services will be taking a load of supplies this weekend but will continue to make more trips as needed.
A list of drop off locations include:
•Any Starkville police locations
•Rick’s Cafe Americain
•Oktibbeha County Co-Op
•Oktibbeha County Humane Society
•Spruill Management on Louisville Street
•Smith Animal Hospital
•Columbus Police Department
•Weather’s construction in Columbus
It is asked that donations left at businesses be done during business hours. If that is not possible, donations will need to be left at the police department.
Dr. Skye Cooley, professor of Communication on Mississippi State University’s campus, is also collecting donations. His office is located on the second floor of McComas Hall.
For any questions or concerns, contact Cpl. Mandy Wilson at 662-769-4427.
