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Community gathers for emotional service one year after August flood

6 years 7 months 2 weeks ago Sunday, August 13 2017 Aug 13, 2017 August 13, 2017 4:15 PM August 13, 2017 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - Hundreds of people gathered at Living Faith Christian Center on Sunday, bonding over their common struggle and looking forward to their recovery.  

For one year, Southeast Louisiana has remained in a recovery state. Sunday night was all about healing as members of the Baton Rouge community gathered at Living Faith Christian Center for "A Time of Reflection," thinking of how far they've come since last year's floods.

"It built some bridges during the time, it brought us together, so we're hoping that same type of energy can keep us together through other things," Community leader Michael Av. Mitchell said. 

'A Time of Reflection' was just that, the church transforming into a place for people of all walks of life and different stories of survival to reflect on the past year

"If anything, I've learned that crisis brings people together," Mitchell recalled. 

On the screens, the words "It Will Get Better" were front and center as the choir sang. 

Those words ring true for the thousands of flood survivors who say they've come a long way since last August.

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said now, she's looking forward.

"I look at this day as a new day of beginnings for us as well," Broome said. 

However, she won't forget the tragedy the community has overcome and the recovery process that still lies ahead.

"Tonight was meant to encourage and inspire others who are still on the flood recovery journey that they are not forgotten," Broome said. 

Among the crowd and speakers were many first responders from Baton Rouge Police Department, Baton Rouge EMS and other flood victims who gave emotional testimonies of their experiences. 

Reflection speeches were also given by multiple area religious leaders. 

"Everyone's not restored, but there's been progress. So, we want to take this time, this anniversary, and build on what we have now," Mitchell said. 


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