Hurricane Betsy was the first storm I remember as a seven-year-old kid growing up in Westwego, LA. We did not flood but we were without running water for a couple of weeks and without power for even longer. In 1965 having no power wasn’t as big of a deal because we didn’t have air conditioning anyway! You don’t miss what you never had. We did miss lights, the refrigerator, the attic fan, the washing machine and the three TV Channels 4, 6 and 12 (before it became Channel 8 in 1970). One small gasoline powered generator so prevalent today would have powered a city block back then, but very few had those.
It is a very different world today. Everything we touch requires electrical power and connection to the internet so when they go out, we are crippled. Many who can afford it are utilizing temporary power sources from a variety of generators. Unfortunately improper usage of some generators has resulted in more deaths than the storm event. So please follow instructions carefully.
If you are anticipating restoration of services counted in days, instead of weeks, you are very fortunate. That means you probably did not flood. For the majority of the population in Plaquemines Parish that was the case. I know that is of little consolation for those who did flood or experienced major damage.
While we are waiting for services to be restored, many lives are put at risk during the stressful and dangerous recovery work. Tens of thousands of workers and volunteers have entered the region wanting to help. Our own parish Director of Operations Scott Rousselle was injured in an airboat accident and an Arkansas based power lineman was killed after being hit by a motorist, examples of the danger. Many are working way beyond the level of exhaustion to help bring us back to normal as quickly as possible.
Hundreds are in Plaquemines helping, some on paid jobs but many who are volunteers. We thank them all. Our utmost thanks and gratitude goes to the Plaquemines Parish team….parish workers, the sheriff’s department, first responders, utility workers, members of the military and business owners. Our local team of elected officials, led by Parish President Kirk Lepine and Sheriff Jerry Turlich have done an excellent job.
Let’s all join together and continue our rebuilding.