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Hurricane Recovery Projects Still Plentiful in Terrebonne Parish

Youth repair a home damaged by Hurricane Gustav. Volunteers are still needed in South Louisiana.

By Rev. Clayton Whitaker, TAC Disaster Response

Residents of South Louisiana braced themselves as Hurricane Gustav barreled

along the coastline, hoping it wouldn’t be another Katrina. The eye of the storm came

ashore in the coastal community of Cocodrie, Louisiana, in Terrebonne Parish.

Though Cocodrie is 80 miles southeast of New Orleans and received its share of damage

from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, residents claimed Gustav was the worst storm they had ever seen. Because of this, volunteers are still needed to assist in recovery.

In an effort to provide help, First UMC of Baton Rouge created Terrebonne Area Restoration Project (TARP), whose purpose is to provide home repair and restoration at no cost to homeowners. TARP is now accepting youth team registrations for the summer of 2010.

The project, which runs June 6- July 31, costs $225 per person. A fee of $75 is due at registration. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Extent of Need

During the height of the storm, Terrebonne Parish experienced winds at 110 mph and a storm surge of 12 feet. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Ike brought more wind, rain, and flooding to the area. The damage from these storms was especially severe and not an uncommon occurrence for residents of Terrebonne Parish. More than 90 percent of Terrebonne Parish is wetlands. Year after year, families face the threat of hurricanes devastating their homes and changing the course of their lives.

This threat became a reality for thousands in 2008. Less than half of all residents of Terrebonne Parish carried adequate flood insurance to cover the damage done to their homes; consequently, many of them are unable to make the needed repairs to their homes. Last year, over 300 teens

from 14 states across the country traveled to Terrebonne Parish to serve. They provided 11,470 hours of service, which translates into 15 homes being restored.

Yet, as in Texas, the need still remains. From roofing to foundations and everything in between, homes and lives must be rebuilt. In addition to providing home repair and restoration, TARP also provides the opportunity for teens to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in mission, while growing in their faith through devotion and worship. Volunteers are asked to commit one week of their summer to the project to make a difference that will last a lifetime.

Youth meet other youth, making friends across the country. For more information, visit www.thebluetarp.com.

or contact Laurie Byland at: 225-383- 4777

or by e-mail at: laurie.byland@firstmethodist.org.

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