Rita in Cameron Parish LA

It's been a while

2005-12-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

I haven’t updated the site lately… I’ve found it difficult to find the words. At least reasonable, semi-coherent ones not written in a fit of anger or depression.

2005 is almost over. It was a crappy year, in my opinion. My family has taken a lot of hits. We are hoping next year is better.

I was in NOLA earlier this month. While most have emphasized the differences between NOLA and Cameron Parish, I found a few similarities. Houses appear to be intact, but really awaiting demolition. Phones are not effective tools for communications. Real business hours are not as advertised. Four trips are needed to accomplish what one phone call and one visit could pre-Katrina/Rita. USPS is an interesting creature. Mortgage companies are out of their minds and out of touch with their customers. Pharmacy lines are the longest in town, and prescriptions are filled 3 days at a time. People are depressed, optimistic, fatalistic and hanging in there. FEMA trailers are great Christmas presents. Insurance settlements are unpredictable, meager, and rare. No one knows the rules of how to rebuild. Rumors are rampant.

My grandfather is still missing. Found out someone closed his vault prior to the Coroner’s team arriving to survey the cemetery. They had not counted him as missing until mid-November. My uncle got a FEMA trailer for Christmas. My grandparents may go down in a few weeks work on the church. My uncle (really, cousin, but you know how it is) is living in his house, as well as some of his daughters and grandchildren. Another cousin is talking about rebuilding. Heard others want to rebuild but don’t know where the money will come from. My aunt has a FEMA trailer at her son’s in Carlyss. Alligators are sick and armadillos are everywhere. My uncle cut down most of his pine trees. My great-grandfather’s and great-uncle’s graves are intact on Smith Ridge.

I read an article in the NY Times about an idea to relocate the people of lower Cameron Parish. I have the flu but had a drink anyway. I knew it was just a matter of time before the suggestion was made and probably published but it didn’t make it any easier to read.

Has anyone heard about Monolithic Dome homes? I really wish someone in Cameron Parish would build one. Looks like they fare pretty well in a hurricane. Wish I’d win the lottery so I could build a few in Cameron Parish.

Joe & Amy Erbelding's old place

2005-10-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of Gran's house taken in Apr 2005, pre-Rita.

When I was a kid, Gran had a huge tree in her side yard. There was a rope swing we would play on... the swing was taken down because the limb was rotting. I guess the tree came down pre-Rita. Notice the steps floated back into the marsh.

When I was a kid we'd sit on the front porch and watch the world go by. Last time I was in the house was after my grandfather's funeral. The porch was rotting and a only a few abandoned rocking chairs were left to watch hwy 82.

The SE. I remember sitting at Gran's kitchen table, eating my Coke float and cookies, while looking out the northeast window. To this day I don't eat a float or a vanilla sandwich cookie without thinking of Gran.

The Cameron Pilot

2005-10-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Read the Cameron Pilot online!

Update 10/18/05

2005-10-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

Called the Calcasieu Habitat for Humanity, and left a message for a call back to find out what their plans are for Cameron Parish.

Also called Christmas in April, Calcasieu Area: Rebuilding Together. Asked if they have plans to help residents in Cameron parish. She took my name and said someone would call me back... she didn't know what the plans are.

Some good news articles on KPLC TV's site:

Cameron Police Jury grapples with recovery
Cameron Parish Moving Forward

Search KPLC TV's site and you can find several video clips about or mentioning Cameron Parish.

Talked with my mother who called the Cameron Parish Coroner. He told her they'll start matching caskets with records/reports of disinterred people on Friday. My mother said they're having some difficulty figuring out where some graves were, because headstones were washed away by Audrey and now Rita. So, if you know of anyone who has very thorough knowledge of Cameron Parish cemeteries, you may ask him/her to give the Coroner a call... maybe s/he could help the Coroner figure out who was where. We found these 1999 genealogy inventories of Head of The Hollow and Smith Ridge, which my mother gave to the Coroner. Hope it helps someone.

Update 10/17/05

2005-10-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Called the Cameron Parish EOC line and talked with a pleasant fellow from the AL Natl' Guard. He gave me the Official word for the parish:

He said the AL Natl' Guard are leaving today, and the ACE (Army Corps of Engineers) are taking over.
He said the official word is Cameron Parish is now closed for "look and leave" and further information and dates about entering the parish, etc. can be obtained by calling 337-775-5306 or listening to 99.5 FM radio (he thought it was a Lake Charles station).
He also said they are starting demolition on public buildings in Cameron Parish today, but will not be demo'ing homes without owner's permission.
He said only insurance adustors or contractors with proper ID will be allowed in the parish, and there will be security checkpoints. If you need to get in the parish to be present while the insurance adjustor inspects your home, he said you should go through the checkpoint with the adjustor.
He said if you are worried about the status of a family gravesite, to call the Cameron Parish Coroner at 337-842-0321.

Now... the UNofficial word:

There are some people working on their homes in the Johnson Bayou area, and people assume they will continue to be able to do so. Perhaps you can sweet talk your way in if you try....

And the personal word:

I saw a picture of tropical storm Wilma today and totally lost it. I got angry. Really angry. Stand on the beach and shake a stick at a hurricane angry.

And the nonprofit/charitable rebuilding word:

Spoke with Tony Silva today from America Continental 2000. He has some more ideas of how they can help people in Cameron parish and will be sending those to me in the next few days. I will pass them on as I receive them.

Why I Care

2005-10-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

Erbelding, Griffith, Burch, Raggio, Wakefield, Martin, Rutherford, Trahan, Gillen, Welch, Caro, Obey, Vaughn, Labove, Orr, Primeaux, Thibodeaux, Clark, Vincent, Mirre.

Johnson Bayou, Cameron Parish, Vermillion Parish, Pecan Island, St. Mary’s Parish, St. Martinville, Lafayette, Choupique, Orange, Cove, Sulphur.

Those are the names and approximate locations of some of my ancestors.

I had prioritized my mother’s family at the end of my genealogical search, oddly enough because I know more about them than any other branch. Thought they’d take the most time to sort through… the most time to verify. I had planned on taking road trips, beginning this spring, to visit courthouses, cemeteries, and relatives. Ask for their help, show them my research, listen to their stories… laugh and visit and drink coffee. Most of all, I wanted my son to see southwest Louisiana and meet his family.

One of the first thoughts I had as Rita barreled towards Johnson Bayou was I may have waited just a little too late. Already numbed by Katrina, I was simply struck dumb at the thought that everything - people, familiar places, and family homes would just be GONE.

After Rita did her job, I held my breath… and then there she was, the Cameron Parish courthouse. Still standing, wet and damaged. Heard the basement was flooded, my heart stopped again… all of those records gone, gone, gone. Thank goodness everyone is alive and safe… but all of those records are gone, gone, gone. Then I heard records were moved from the basement, in anticipation of such an event. I really hope so.

I know it seems ridiculous to some that I’d bring up genealogy at a time like this… but I have a point.

I already knew my family had been in SW LA since the 1770’s. I knew the names and realized the families are big. I didn’t know I’d see family names on public buildings, or read about my cousins in the press. Suddenly the phrase “I’m related to everyone” took on a new reality. So did “we’ve been here forever”. I met a new cousin online and we shared information. I talked to cousins I haven’t seen in years… all of us focused one thing: helping our family through this.

I also know from my genealogy hobby this isn’t the first time Cameron Parish has taken a hit. Johnson Bayou was hit in the 1880’s by a hurricane and was turned from a little boomtown into something quite less. Audrey hit hard in 1957 and she was the standard of how awful it could get… until Rita. I know from my records that my family stayed through the 1880’s storm, and through Audrey and rebuilt. I know they will do it again.

Most of my immediate family left Johnson Bayou years before Rita. There are only a few that remain there who are close relatives. Our lady friend Rita may have hastened the exit of a few more of my family members from Johnson Bayou, but she gave me something in return. At least one new cousin I didn’t know about, and probably would have never met and the acceptance that my family will live on… in Johnson Bayou, Carlyss, Sulphur, Evadale, Crosby, Beaumont, Florien, Alexandria, Monroe….

We may be spread out, but we are still a family. We can still sit together and drink coffee and share stories. My son will still know them.

News

2005-10-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

I am now a bit news challenged since the American Press stopped publishing their full paper online for free. You can still read the archives of the free issues on their site, along with a few front page stories they publish free.

Heard from relatives in Carlyss the best source for information, if you aren't able to go down into Cameron Parish is KPLC TV. You can get some information on their site, along with some video clips from on-air broadcasts. They have a really good one today called "Cameron Parish Update".

Today's Update 10/13

2005-10-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

From KPLC TV's site:

FEMA and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) announced today a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) is opening on Thursday, Oct. 13. The recovery center in Cameron Parish will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to accommodate a local curfew. Location in Cameron Parish is Grand Lake Recreation Center, 125 Recreation Lane Grand Lake , La. 70607.

There's a nice bit from KPLC TV on the Cameron parish courthouse. You can view it on their site by clicking on "Cameron Landmark" on the Featured Video section at the bottom right.

American Press has an article today about disinterred bodies, phone number to call for information, at the end.

Not much new news...

Talked with family in Carlyss yesterday and their electricity was restored on Monday. Said it is spotty... neighbors don't have it yet. Said some people in Carlyss and in Johnson Bayou have had FEMA and insurance inspections, but there doesn't seem to be any particular order they are taking place in. Also heard a rumor they condemned the Johnson Bayou school.

My great-aunt had her FEMA inspection in Johnson Bayou and the inspector told her she qualifies for a FEMA trailer for a year, and at that year she has an option to buy it. Some plants in the area are contracting with FEMA to host FEMA trailers, since they have utilities. Rumor has it most qualifying for FEMA trailers intend to eventually move them to their property down in Cameron parish.

Gulf Coast Farmers Face Immediate Needs, Long-Term Challenges

2005-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

You don't see a lot about farmers in the news.... but here's a nice bit.

Insurance Company Contact Numbers

2005-10-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

Business Help

2005-10-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

from the American Press 10/11/05:

"The Chamber/Southwest Louisiana has set up a business recovery center at its office on 120 W. Pujo St. The center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.

Assisting business owners will be the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University. Representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides low-interest loans to affected businesses, will also be available. "Our hope is to provide as much information to the business community in one location as we possibly can," said Donna Addkison, president and CEO of the Chamber.

The center will help businesses in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes. At the state's request, the center will also be serving Sabine and Vernon parish businesses.

For more information, call the Chamber at 433-3632. "

Number to ID relatives who "surfaced" from Cameron Parish cemeteries

2005-10-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

337-842-0321. They took my mother's and grandfather's names and will get in touch with her when they have information. FYI - She found this number by looking up the coroner office in Calcasieu Parish, called them, and they gave her the number.

Insurance Inspections BEFORE Demolition!!!!!

2005-10-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Talked with the EOC office in Cameron Parish. The nice lady there said the COE are starting demo 10/17, beginning with Grand Lake, Sweet Lake and Hackberry unless they are still under water. Call the EOC office 337-775-5306 for more information.

I also got a reply back from America Continental 2000, one of the nonprofits I've contacted that specializes in building after disasters and they advised everyone needs to get their insurance co to inspect the homes BEFORE ACE demos them.

The contact at America Continental 2000 is Tony Silva, 954-444-2741. He said his group can provide these insurance inspections and said they can do them by this weekend.

The EOC office said they will let insurance inspectors in the parish with id (business card, etc).

America Continental 2000 is licensed in the state of LA and are engineering and construction specialists in the industry since 1990. They can provide "full assesment and tell the extent of damages... provide basic scope due to structural damage for insurance companies".

This inspection will probably help people get MORE out of their insurance companies because the insurance company can argue more about damage if there's no house to inspect.... Plus, he can tell people if their home is salvageable and what needs to be done, and an estimate of how much it will cost.

Tony said he would love to help without being hired by the insurance companies for these inspections, but funds are short and they haven't received a lot of donations (most money has gone to larger groups like Red Cross), so they are trying to get income in lieu of donations through insurance companies and through FEMA contracts. They are not taking the contracts for profit... getting paid for some inspections and contracts will allow them to work on those projects plus others where no funding is available.

Tony said if anyone who hasn't had their home inspected will call their insurance company and tell the insurance company to call him at 954-444-2741, they can arrange for the inspection and he can fax them any licensing/certification they need.

This is up to you and your family if you want to pursue it... but I would appreciate you passing it along. You can read about the organization Tony is with at the site above or on Network for Good.

Demolition Date?

2005-10-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Saw a post on the KPLC TV's message board that the Army Corps of Engineers will be starting demolition of Cameron Parish on 10/17/05 - next Monday.

Don't know if it's true but I will try to find out and post more. None of my family members who were down in the parish over the weekend heard any dates or official information.

!@#$ing Insurance

2005-10-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

If you need to contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance, click here.

If you're interested in hiring an independent Public Adjustor, click here and select "license type" and then select"public adjustor".

If you'd like to tell everyone what you think of the insurance industry, leave a comment below.

What is an Independent Public Adjustor? Someone you hire, for a flat fee, to negotiate the settlement between you and your insurance company. I've never used one but noticed some people hit by Katrina were thinking of getting one because they were jerked around in a previous negotiation.

Johnson Bayou: Move over Audrey... Heeeerrrreee's Rita!

2005-10-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

photo by gdouglastrahan 10/8/05.

Several relatives went to Johnson Bayou over this weekend to evaluate their homes and property.

There were three homes in JB they thought appeared to have some hope, all on stilts: Dwight & Judy Erbelding (memory: I remember when they started building that house and people gave Dwight a hard time because he put that house up so high... Hey Dwight - they aren't laughing anymore!), Peggy Trahan, and a newer house next to Travis Trahan's (Travis' used to be Francis and Rosalie Erbelding's). There was discussion perhaps brick homes could be salvaged... if everything was ripped out down to the bricks and rebuilt.

Some of the pictures I have in my head:

The water went over my Aunt Elsie's kitchen counter, and everything is still wet. They drug her furniture out to inspect the floors, but they are made of a floor and subfloor, and feared beyond repair. Mold is growing on the studs inside the walls.
My Uncle Billy's house is pretty much wrecked - held in place by the many trees that surround it.
My Aunt Thelma's house looked better than the others, the west wall is gone, freezers overturned, water damage... doubtful the house is salvageable.
My Great Grandmother Oreallye Griffith's boathouse turned land-lubber, is destroyed and in the marsh.
Joseph and Amy Erbelding's old place is there - porch missing, roof fell in the back... no hope.
Damage to the Baptist church and cemetery... already knew that but got additional news about more missing headstones....

My Aunt Kay who owns property in JB, but is no longer a resident, was able to get in to the parish when she explained her business. Rumor has it they'll let most people in on weekends but during the week it's harder because they're working on roads and electricity.

There are lots of electrical crews, they saw one fire hydrant spewing water near my Aunt Elsie's. No water service to the homes, for obvious reasons.

There are emergency personnel and and at least one ambulance in JB. They are giving Tetanus shots somewhere down there...

They described the landscape "burned". No leaves left on the trees. Everything once green is brown. You could see the inside of the school from the highway.... MyUncle Billy thinks it will be two years before the marsh is suitable for grazing.

After talking with my cousin, it appears what is desperately needed down there is some sort of construction professional who can advise if the homes that are standing are salvageable. I emailed Architecture for Humanity and America Continental 2000 to see if they could help provide one....

South Cameron Memorial Hospital Evacuees

2005-10-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

For information on employees and patients evacuated from the South Cameron Memorial Hospital and Calcasieu Oaks Geriatric Psychiatric Hospital can be found at www.pacerhealth.com

Cameron evacuees allowed back in parish to assess damage (10/9)

2005-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

By WARREN ARCENEAUX, AMERICAN PRESS.

Officials Scramble to Find Homes for Cameron Residents

2005-10-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

See video about FEMA trailers for Cameron Parish. Be sure to turn off all 50o of your pop-up blockers or the link will only take you to the KPLC home page, where you click on "Officials Scramble to Find Homes for Cameron Residents" to see the video.

Entergy Grant

2005-10-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

You must be an Entergy employee or customer who was displaced by either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita and who plans to return or relocate within Entergy's service territory.

I was under the impression Cameron Parish was serviced by Jeff Davis Coop, but I noticed Cameron Parish is on the Entergy list of eligible parishes. Read the guidelines, and if it fits, apply!

Reply from Phoenix Habitat for Humanity

2005-10-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Here is Habitat for Humanity's reply to my tempermental email:

Thank you for your communication and bringing to our attention that we were not mentioning Rita as much as Katrina - I think that this is an unfortunateresult of the simple fact that one came before the other and many mediaotlets started calling things "Katrina relief" before Rita even hit - Our solution from this point on will be to refer to assistnce for the "GulfRegion" victims which would enatil any and all affected by either or bothhurricanes. Kara ment no harm in her email and by no means was trying toleave out RITA victims in her communication - No matter what she writes all of the help will go to that region and we will not be asking the victims which hurricane they were a victim of - we will simply offer help to as manythat we can who qualify for assistance - I will share your thoughts with ourparent organiztion regarding their website - We do not have a web master atour small affiliate - we have a vista volunteer who does her best, without any background in websites, to keep the site updated.... your communication will help us adjust the words we use so that we are more accurate and thankyou for taking the time to let us know your thoughts and feelings.
Christine H. Odom President / CEO
Habitat for Humanity,
Valley of the SunP.O. Box 20186,
Phoenix AZ 85036
602.268.9022 60268.9206 (fax)
www.habitataz.org
And my reply:
Christine - thank you very much for your response and understanding. I will pass the word along to friends and family. Again, I'm sorry my tone was harsh... I know you are all (or at least most) volunteers. I appreciate all the work you have done and will continue to do to help people in need of housing, not just the ones affected by Rita or Katrina. I also appreciate your efforts to rephrase your future communications, and to clarify your position re: Katrina/Rita. I greatly appreciate your efforts in passing the information forward to the HfH international office.

Calcasieu coming together; Local hotline to help denied get FEMA aid (10/8)

2005-10-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Read the full article in the American Press.

"The situation in devastated Cameron Parish was far less encouraging. Entergy said power has been restored to 13 percent of customers in that parish. Cameron residents can enter the parish to examine their property today and Sunday from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Residents are not allowed to stay and are encouraged to remain off the roads as much as possible to allow power companies to continue restoration work. "

"A local help line has been established for anyone in Calcasieu, Cameron or Jeff Davis parishes who has been denied the $2,000 in expedited assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "

"The number is 721-3850. It will be staffed from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. "

You can get your well tested for free. See page A5 of the American Press, 1/8/05: Water Well Tests Offered.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Company has set up a temporary office in Cameron, see bottom right column of page C3 in the American Press, 10/8/05.

Update about Cameron Parish Schools

2005-10-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Status of Local Newspapers: The Cameron Pilot

2005-10-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Honore takes tour of 'Rita parishes': info about cleanup

2005-10-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

Read this from NOLA.com... features a conversation with Freddie Richard, Cameron Parish's Homeland Security director, and mentions a vague timeline for "look and leave" and cleanup.