TBM faces lengthy response after Hurricane Ida

  |  Source: Texas Baptist Men

TBM volunteer Franz Zwaschka and other disaster relief workers prepare hamburgers for people in South Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. (TBM Photo / John Hall)

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ST. AMANT, La.—The high-pitched buzzing of chainsaw fills the air like clouds fill the sky in this small community northwest of New Orleans. Nearly every home needs some work on trees, most have temporary blue tarps covering the roof, and piles of debris line the sides of the roadway.

A TBM chainsaw crew works in South Louisiana to remove broken limbs from a wind-damaged tree. (TBM Photo / John Hall)

It’s the sound of progress—the sound of brighter tomorrows.

With every cut, a path is cleared for people to move forward, thanks to six Texas Baptist Men volunteer chainsaw teams and nine TBM heavy machinery teams.

The teams are working in multiple sites across more than 30 miles from Baton Rouge to LaPlace, where many neighborhoods have been severely affected by Hurricane Ida.

“I don’t know exactly how wide the devastation is, but I’d say it’s probably at least 20 miles wide, and it’s from the coast all the way through Louisiana. We have at least five or six stations where we’re serving with chainsaw teams,” said Gene Walker, an on-site coordinator for TBM disaster relief.

“Looking down the street, it’s very upsetting. You see everybody’s belongings, sheetrock on the street. And we’re putting trees on top of that. They haven’t had electricity for 12 days or so, and they’re being told it’ll be Sept. 23 before they get it. People are hurting. It’s street after street after street. It’s the whole town. I’m a crotchety old guy, and it makes me tear up.”

Asked to provide 30,000 meals daily

TBM volunteers Stretch Nilson (left) and Ed French transport food in an insulated Cambro to provide for the needs of people in South Louisiana after Hurricane Ida. (TBM Photo / John Hall)

Thirty-seven miles from where Walker was standing, a whirl of TBM volunteers were meeting needs of another kind. The TBM state feeding unit—an 18-wheel tractor-trailer rig equipped with a mobile field kitchen—was preparing 2,200 Salisbury steaks to distribute across the area for lunch. Then, they washed everything up and produced almost 5,000 dinners that afternoon.

Just as they wrapped up the day, the Red Cross asked the team if they would ramp up to provide 30,000 meals a day moving forward, the maximum output for the mobile kitchen.

People are coming back to the disaster area and seeing the devastation to homes they left behind. Still without power in many places, cooking a meal has become at best difficult for many people. It’s impossible for others.


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TBM-cooked meals such as red beans and rice, pulled pork, chicken, rice and hamburgers mean more than nutritional help. They’re reminders that people care—that God cares.

“Through all the devastation, it’s just amazing to see God work,” said Gary Finley, on-site coordinator of the state feeding unit. “That’s why I do it—to be the hands and feet of Christ and get out and see what can happen. Helping people is great. Christ met people’s needs. If we can meet people’s needs, and we can introduce them to Jesus, that’s what this is all about.”

Huge area, even greater needs

That approach to serving made a significant impact in Séverine Vicknair’s life. Walker’s team was taking down a tree that had broken in her backyard.

“We got flooded, and I already don’t know anymore where to start or turn, and those wonderful, wonderful men are here and taking so much pressure off my shoulders,” she said. “We are so very much blessed. Thank you so very much.”

With more than 100 volunteers on site and replacement teams forming to serve behind them, TBM leaders anticipate a lengthy response in the area.

“The area is large, and the needs are even larger,” TBM Disaster Relief Director David Wells said. “Our volunteers are working hard and representing Christ well. They’re making a tremendous impact in the lives of people in Louisiana each day. Please keep the people of Louisiana in your prayers as well as TBM volunteers who are responding. Your prayers are truly making an incredible difference.”

To support TBM financially, visit tbmtx.org/donate or send a designated check to Texas Baptist Men, 5351 Catron Drive, Dallas, TX 75227.


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