Hurricane Ida

As Hurricane Ida's eye headed straight for my home city, New Orleans, on Sunday, August 29th, 2021, I couldn't help but flash back to Hurricane Katrina, the hurricane that hit and destroyed our city on the same date 16 years before. My family lost our home to 6 feet of water in Katrina, and were displaced for almost 2 years after that. I was in eighth grade when it happened. My immediate family went to Houston, TX, where they graciously took us in. After what felt like a year, yet only 3 months, my family moved back to the city to spend 1.5 years rebuilding our home. I'll never forget standing outside of our home for the first time after the water receded. A spray painted X on our door confirming that no one was rescued nor died inside of our home when the flood hit. A strong, distinct odor from sitting water in and around our home for far too long. We found one of our old dvds out on the street. My dad told us to not go inside. I'm not sure that I wanted to. Going inside would make it too real. I wanted to remember my childhood home as it once was.

On August 30th, 2021, the morning after Ida hit New Orleans, I sat hopelessly in Dallas waiting for news on my family's homes. Will we have to start over, again? The feeling of the unknown was all too familiar.

I am so grateful to say that my parent's home is okay. The had some flooding, but all things that can be fixed. The damages, if any, of my grandmother's home are still unknown. The power is out in the city and officials have yet to give an answer on restoration. Rumors are saying 3 weeks to 3 months. How long will my family and friends be displaced?

However, knowing that my loved ones are safe is the greatest gift in times of disaster. My heart goes out to all of those who are facing devastations from Hurricane Ida throughout Louisiana, especially those in the smaller cities like LaPlace, Houma, Grand Isle, and more who were hit much harder than New Orleans by the hurricane.

In times like these, we may feel helpless, yet there are ways to give back from afar to those affected. If you would like to help those affected by Hurricane Ida, please consider donating to any of the following local organizations: Cajun Navy Relief, Second Harvest Food Bank, or Louisiana SPCA. There are many other organizations assisting, so please do research when donating to a place of your choice to ensure it's getting directly to those affected. A little goes a long way.

The city of New Orleans and it's people are the most resilient community I know. In time, I know that we'll hear jazz on the streets once again.