CCDBR Staff Bracing for Another Hurricane Season

As late spring’s tepidity two-stepped into summer’s sauna and the dreaded June 1 date inched closer, the eyes of Lisa Lee and C.J. Roy were focused on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.

For these two disaster relief gurus the next six months are critical, awaiting on whimsical Mother Nature and whatever she may serve up during hurricane season. 

A year ago she was not so kind to southern Louisiana in a record-breaking season that saw six storms make landfill in Louisiana, and already in 2021 a rain event has brought back eerie shades of 2016.

“The biggest thing to fight through is people are just so tired of these (tropical systems),” said Roy, coordinator of Disaster Operations for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.  

“Even when it rains people are going through symptoms of (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) PTSD. Just how much is it going to rain and how long is it going to rain?”

With another hurricane season already deep into its second month, and Tropical Storm Elsa’s visit to the Florida Gulf Coast, Roy and Lee said residents should be well prepared to deal with whatever might come this way. They encourage residents to prepare a check list long before a storm threatens.

“A big part for homeowners or renters is to make sure they have adequate insurance for their homes,” Roy said. “Insurance will only cover certain things and if they don’t have a flood policy and they get water coming up, they will  not be covered by their insurance.

“Plus, they need to make sure their contents are covered.”

He pointed out the ideal time to evaluate one’s insurance policy is January or February but added it’s never too late to make changes or even purchase flood insurance. However, he said an insurance rider or a new flood insurance policy will take 30 days to become effective, so with the teeth of the hurricane season on the horizon now is the time to make those changes.

He also encouraged residents to take pictures of all of their belongings, including the exterior and interior of their homes, and store the data in a safe place, whether it’s in the cloud, a jump drive or some other location, so there can be no dispute from an insurance adjuster or FEMA representatives when assessing storm damage.

“It’s also important for residents to check their insurance policies to see if it covers some type of temporary shelter assistance,” said Lee, director of CCDBR Disaster Operations. “Some may cover a hotel room and expenses people would incur if their home is temporarily inhabitable.”

When evacuating, Roy stressed the importance of taking important papers, such as insurance policies, marriage and driver’s licenses, baptism certificates and warranties on major appliances.

Before a storm approaches, Roy recommended landscaping around the house is clear, old branches cut and vehicles well maintained and gassed up.

“Folks need to be aware of what the threats might be,” he said. “Things like tornadoes and heavy rainfall, just make sure you know what to do.”

Of course, hurricane supplies should be stocked well in advance of any approaching storm and should include a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food, water, pet food, batteries, medications and non-electronic devices to entertain young children in the event electricity is lost.

Roy said anyone entertaining the idea of evacuation “must understand what your risk is and prepare yourself, your family and your home for whatever that risk is.”

Roy urges residents to have evacuation plans set in advance and to make accommodations at hotels outside the cone of uncertainty because inside the cone rooms are typically blocked off for first responders.

He also said to formulate a written communication plan complete with critical phone numbers and make certain family members have a copy of the plan.

Lee said don’t forget copies of your most recent electricity or utility bill or something else to prove occupancy at the time of the disaster.

“Even if you are the homeowner, it does not prove you were living in the property on the day of the disaster,” she said. “So that’s real important when people register for FEMA. They must show occupancy.”

Once the storm passes is when the CCDBR disaster teams sweep in and begin offering relief. Roy emphasizes CCDBR teams are not first responders and do not provide shelter, cook for people or have a warehouse full of cleaning buckets, etc.

“We have a presence in shelters and determine what the shelter guests are in need of,” Roy said. “It’s important for us to be on the front end and determine who is in need of what services.”

He said it’s “very easy” to identify someone who is not appropriately completing FEMA applications or not following through on other applications. 

“We will help anyone but we focus our efforts mostly on people who are vulnerable,” Lee said. “A lot of times they are not aware how to reach out for help. These are (often) people of low incomes, some of the elderly, maybe those who have a disability, maybe an immigrant.”

Roy said the staff’s familiarity with filling out what can be complex forms allows them to assist those negatively impacted. He said that one common mistake many people make is when several adults are at one address all fill out a FEMA form.

“That is a huge mistake,” Roy said. “FEMA accepts only one registration per address.”

Both Roy and Lee also spoke of scammers attempting to prey on those suffering. Roy said completing the FEMA form is typically a 45-minute process so don’t fall into the trap of believing someone who calls and says with their help the form can be completed in 10 minutes.

“FEMA does not make proactive calls so do not listen to people who represent themselves as FEMA. In those 10 minutes they can obtain all of your financial information,” Roy said.

For FEMA assistance, to register or for follow-up inquiries call 1-800-621-3362 or visit
DisasterAssistance.gov.