Katrina’s Fury: Then & Now
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 On August
29, 2005, the most damaging storm in U.S. history slammed the Gulf Coast.
 Volunteers
joined OBI in Louisiana to remove trees, debris and help residents begin the long recovery process.
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NEW ORLEANS - Few could fathom the devastation that Katrina would bring to
the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005.
Broken levees and storm surges flooded the streets of New Orlean’s lower ninth ward; the stench
of corpses, sewage and debris moved throughout city and neighborhood streets; families returned
to seemingly war-torn neighborhoods – their possessions lost, their homes a rotting shell of what
they used to be.
"It looked like a third world country," said Jody Herrington, OBI’s disaster relief
manager. "Dirty children running around. . . .moms sitting on porches rocking their babies.
. . .mattresses outside."
Phase One: Disaster Relief
Operation Blessing moved quickly to meet the overwhelming needs. Prior to Katrina making
landfall, they dispatched their fleet of tractor-trailer trucks loaded with food, water, and
emergency supplies to staging areas near the Gulf Coast. Within a week after Katrina hit, OBI
had already delivered 958,284 pounds of food, drinks and relief supplies to victims.
As thousands waited in line at designated feeding sites to receive food and water, OBI
continued to supply aid by the truckload. Working with groups such as The Salvation Army and
other partnering organizations, OBI has distributed to date, over 10.4 million pounds of food
and aid to hurricane victims throughout the Gulf Coast.
OBI also purchased a 53-foot mobile kitchen which arrived in Slidell, La., the first week
of September. Within days, the shiny new grills and ovens were churning out thousands of hot
meals – up to 7,000 per day – for hurricane victims.
"There are so many people here like me that lost everything," said Terry, a Slidell resident.
"After going through all that . . . to have people here just to help us and support us . . . it
feels really good," she said.
In addition to direct, hands-on assistance, OBI has tackled hurricane-related needs since day
one by financing partnering churches and organizations on the local level through their Fast-Cash
Grants program.
"It’s grassroots relief in the most effective way possible," said OBI President Bill Horan.
"Each stricken area has a different set of needs . . . food, furniture, construction materials,
gasoline, medicine, and so much more. Cash grants enable local churches to meet the needs specific
to their own area."
To date, over $4.2 million in cash grants have been awarded to 214 faith-based organizations.
Phase Two: Tree & Debris Removal
OBI’s quick response caught the attention of local and federal government officials. Mayor Ben
Morris of Slidell along with FEMA officials requested OBI’s assistance with the "blue roof project"
to secure tarps onto damaged roofs. Teaming up with AmeriCorps, OBI mobilized groups of 50-100
volunteers, the necessary equipment and – within hours of the request – began tarping houses.
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 Phase two
relief efforts involved gutting homes and removing flood-damaged walls. Protective clothing and masks were required
to avoid inhalation of dangerous mold and bacteria.
 Volunteer dentists
and assistants help staff OBI's dental clinic in New Orleans. Plans to launch a medical clinic are slated for mid-March.
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Progress was hindered, however, when fallen trees and debris-choked streets kept FEMA from
accessing neighborhoods and driveways with temporary trailers. OBI purchased an 18-ton capacity
crane to remove trees and debris, and literally cleared the way for nearly 22,000 FEMA trailers to
be delivered to residents whose homes had been destroyed.
"Operation Blessing has impacted our whole community," said Marcell, whose Slidell home was
cleared of debris and tarped by OBI. "When most organizations have already left, this is when we
need them the most."
After signing a six-month lease on a warehouse space in Slidell late September, OBI expanded
the scope of their operations to include construction of temporary light poles for FEMA trailers,
debris removal, mold treatment and gutting out homes so residents could begin the reconstruction
process.
"The fact that people have come and assisted in demolition and repair work gives you a boost,"
said Tom, a Slidell resident. "It gives us a great deal of encouragement and emotional energy to
go on."
Phase Three: Reconstruction & Medical
With nearly 150,000 families returning home to New Orleans, the need to rebuild is critical.
Most houses are still uninhabitable and with limited funds from insurance companies, few can afford
the cost of repairs. To help jumpstart the reconstruction process, OBI is supplying families with
sheetrock, insulation and some cases, plumbing and electrical materials.
In addition, OBI is moving their strategic center of operations from Slidell to New Orleans to
better meet the needs of residents; one major need being a lack of sufficient medical care.
Two weeks ago, OBI teamed up with International Medical Alliance (IMA), the City of New Orleans
Health Department and Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps (RAM), to sponsor a medical fair in New
Orleans. Over 9,600 patients were seen and an average of 650 prescriptions dispensed daily.
"Since the holidays, there has been an increase in the number of returning evacuees, many of
whom have serious chronic illnesses," said Dr. Dale Betterton, Medical Director for IMA and Dr.
Dorothy Davison, IMA President in a medical report.
"Not only is a free, primary health care clinic highly desirable and necessary," they indicated,
"it borders on being essential for a burgeoning, ill population."
In a joint venture with IMA, Operation Blessing plans to launch a semi-permanent medical clinic
in New Orleans in mid-March. The clinic will be in addition to the already fully operational dental
clinic OBI initiated in cooperation with L.A. Board of Dentistry and the Department of Health and
Hospitals.
"The most glaring need we see now is medical," said OBI President Bill Horan. "Hundreds of
thousands of displaced Americans, mostly poor and elderly, have no medical care or prescription
medicines. OBI has already provided over $22 million in free medicines, but we need to do more."
"People are desperate," said an OBI volunteer. "It’s been a long, hard journey and we’ve still
got a long way to go."
How You Can Help Hurricane Katrina survivors need your help! Despite the progress, the needs for
debris removal, home reconstruction and medical care are still great. Operation Blessing is
committed to staying until the need no longer exists, but we need your help. Be a part of OBI's
ongoing disaster relief efforts by making an online donation to help those affected by the Gulf
Coast hurricanes.
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