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Residents in North Baton Rouge work to recover from flood
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BATON ROUGE – Many people in North Baton Rouge say there aren't enough hands to get recovery work done following last week's flood.
Living Faith Center in North Baton Rouge was a shelter for Katrina Storm victims, but now the church itself is a victim.
We want the nation to pay attention and we want the nation to come and assist us. Louisiana needs this. It's widespread not just Baton Rouge," Pastor William Bates, of Living Faith Christian Center, said.
Bates welcomed Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson to the church on Monday. Bates said that he hops the Reverend will use his influence to get outside help to the community. Local residents have already started to stand together.
"It's caused everybody no matter what color you were to realize that we are all affected by this – natural disaster," Bates said.
Just down the street from the church is an example of residents uniting to help one another. Brenda and Lionel Smith thought their home had flood insurance as it was included on their initial mortgage. However, they found out after the flood that the flood insurance did not transfer when they refinanced a few years ago. Kindness from volunteers is what has been easing their anxiety.
"We've been having just wonderful people coming. People that we don't even know," Brenda said. "We have hope. We're hopeful," she said.
"God has just blessed us with all kinds of angels. Just coming through helping us out. I didn't know what we were going to do just Brenda and myself. It was overwhelming," Lionel said.
Volunteers say that even a little help goes a long way.
"If you haven't done something please... go please do something even if it's just giving money. If you're able to give out help or give out monetary assistance... please someone needs it," volunteers helping the Smith couple said.
Some residents in North Baton Rouge have already applied for FEMA assistance already, but FEMA inspectors have not been to the homes yet. Signs saying "Do not take" are up near the debris so FEMA inspectors can see it when they come.
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