TERREBONNE PARISH, La. — Down the bayou in Terrebonne Parish, Hurricane Ida is still fresh on the mind.
“This particular area was hit very, very hard,” said District 7 councilman Danny Babin.
The category four storm, nearly three years ago, slammed the Gulf Coast destroying communities from Grand Isle to Dulac.
“We’re used to water. We weren’t used to the wind,” said Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar of the Grand Calliou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw.
Winds up to 150 miles per hour took off roofs, knocked out power, and put the lives of those who didn’t evacuate in jeopardy. There was no water or electricity for more than a month.
“We had people living in tents. We had people living in cars,” said Babin. “Why, because what they owned was right here and you could feel the passion that they had.”
Babin says he understands that passion but with storms growing in strength, evacuations need to be taken seriously.
“You just don’t know what the aftermath is going to be. Destruction is one thing, but we need to protect lives,” said Babin.
“After a disaster, many communities suffer from health, hunger, and housing,” said John Navy with the American Red Cross.
Hurricane Ida unleashed all three, straining relief organizations like the American Red Cross.
“We cannot tell people what to do, but when they make that decision to stay, make sure they’re prepared,” said Navy.
Navy, who works with the agency’s Community Adaptation Program, says being prepared isn’t just about flashlights and radios. It’s also about knowing what a storm’s aftermath can bring.
“You just have to heed the warnings,” said Babin.
With an overly active hurricane season expected this year, parish leaders want folks to make plans now.
“If a 160, 180, or 200-mile-an-hour hurricane is coming this way, my recommendation would be to get out,” said Babin.
For people who decide not to, Babin says to remember the lessons from Ida.
“Everybody has to decide and just remember what happened three years ago and I think that helps make your decision,” said Babin.
A decision parish leaders say needs to be made in advance.
There is now a community outreach office available for folks in Southern Terrebonne parish to get information about hurricane preparation and recovery. It’s located at 5414 Shrimpers Row.
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