In what the Red Cross has called the worst U.S. natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the recent Louisiana floods have changed the lives of countless men, women, and children who have at some point called the state “home.” The impact of such an event can be felt in every community across the U.S., including Harding University.
Cindy Wainwright, a coordinator in Harding’s Advancement Office, was born in Walker, Louisiana, and still has a great deal of family there. Many of her family members have been directly affected by the floods, such as her father, who had water up to the roof of his house. She and her husband, Gary, recently traveled to Walker to aid in relief efforts.
“I’m just devastated for my family,” Wainwright said. “It’s horrendous. It’s heartbreaking. The road I grew up on is completely underwater.”
According to CNN, the state of Louisiana experienced almost seven trillion gallons of rainfall in one week. That’s enough water to fill more than 10.4 million Olympic-size swimming pools.
In addition to faculty and staff, many students have been affected by the floods. Sophomore Jack Allen said he decided to forego being an Energy Group Leader at Student Impact this year to stay in his hometown of Baton Rouge and help with cleanup.
“You have to just keep your nose to the ground and work, because the second that you take a step back and internalize everything, it’s overwhelming,” Allen said. “For people whose lives are now cleaning up and starting over, it’s hard to understand from the outside how much work that takes and how much help is needed. It might seem like the time for help has already passed, but the fact of the matter is that the impact of this will be felt for a long time and there will always be work that needs to be done.”
According to ABC News, thousands are still displaced and living with friends, family members or in shelters.
“The people of Louisiana are tired and they’re ready for some help,” Allen said.
However, much is being done, both at Harding and elsewhere, to assist the people of Louisiana in rebuilding. Graduate student Lydia McReynolds and senior Katie Finch, both Louisiana natives with friends and family displaced by the floods, raised over $2,000 during Student Impact for relief efforts. The money was sent to South Baton Rouge Church of Christ for distribution.
“It’s really important that the church is involved during this time to show that Christians help others, whether or not we know who you are,” Finch said. “That’s who we are, and that’s who we’re meant to be.”
Finch and McReynolds said they are still working with Harding on how the school might further help Louisiana. They encourage everyone to look for service opportunities.
