AHAH Monthly Program Update - Louisiana Hurricane Ida (October 2021)

HURRICANE IDA RELIEF UPDATE OCTOBER 2021

IMPACT OF DISASTER

$50B

ESTIMATED IN DAMAGE

$20B

FLOODING DAMAGE

1.4M

PEOPLE IMPACTED

500M+

HOMES DAMAGED

Program Launch Our Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) arrived two days after Hurricane Ida made landfall to assess the damage, and within just a week and a half, we launched our program from our new base. From there, we connected with long-standing partners in the area for a coordinated relief effort. We are dedicated to helping the underserved communities of Ponchatoula, Kenner and LaPlace by focusing on muck and guts, mold sanitation, debris and tree removal and roof tarping. Watch this short video to learn more about the needs of the affected communities in Louisiana and our plans to assist.

Impact Story When Hurricane Ida was forecasted, Elizabeth C. chose not to evacuate, so that she could take care of her pets and home, which she holds close to her heart. She watched, as Ida tore through her property, where her family has lived for generations, first as slaves. Once liberated, they purchased the property and built a new house next to the original home, which was destroyed during Hurricane Ida. Elizabeth is also facing radiation treatments for throat cancer. Luckily, our volunteers were able to save the fireplace in her ancestors’ home and muck and gut her new residence where black mold had developed. She opened her heart to the volunteers, shared countless stories of her family and offered our team lunch while we worked. She was unforgettable, and we are happy to have helped her.

“Louisiana has not had an easy time over the years as these relentless storms have devastated the state. But then you work on the ground, and you see the hope and resilience of these communities. The people demonstrate kindness and appreciation at every turn. It is an honor to help them move forward.” ‒ George Hernandez Mejia, U.S. Disaster Response Manager

Photos: (top) A volunteer assessing a home with an impacted owner, (left) Saving the chimney of the original home of Elizabeth C.’s ancestors

Learn about us at:

allhandsandhearts.org

Assessment Summary On August 29th, 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana, Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, LA, as a Category 4 storm. Relentless wind and rain caused catastrophic flooding and an estimated $14-21 billion in damages in Louisiana.

After sweeping through the state, the storm traveled across the U.S., passing into the Northeast and the New York metropolitan area, where it dropped torrential levels of rainfall which caused deadly flash flooding compounded by multiple tornadoes. Many communities along the storm’s trail face a long recovery. AHAH’s Disaster Assessment and Response Team (DART) found that in Louisiana especially, the places with heaviest damage and fewest local resources intersected with areas with disproportionately high socio-economic vulnerability. Within one week, we had volunteers in the field in these communities. Although DART determined that regional capacity in the Northeast is currently sufficient, AHAH continues to monitor evolving needs and potential areas where our long-term rebuilding assistance may be needed in the months to come.

Our Goal Over the next 18 months, All Hands and Hearts will mobilize the power of more than 750 volunteers to assist 2,000 disaster survivors, through raising and investing $2.5 million in this effort.

About All Hands and Hearts We effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. We communicate directly with local leaders and community members and then deploy our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, helping to build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure.

We are committed to the safety of our teams and the communities we serve by working in a COVID-safe way. We also educate volunteers and staff about our Sexual Harassment Exploitation Abuse (SHEA) guidelines to promote a safe communal living environment.

Photos: (top) A volunteer discussing damage with a homeowner (middle & bottom) Volunteers doing assessments of property damage.

Special thanks to our donors, volunteers and partners for allowing us to carry out our Resilient Response mission. You are helping change lives and rebuild hope for those experiencing extraordinary stress and despair.

Your Support Makes All the Difference!

We have earned a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator for the seventh year in a row. This year only seven percent of rated nonprofits received this distinction for financial and operational efficiency.

info@allhandsandhearts.org