What it's like when it's your family.
From another cousin in Baton Rouge, where the refugees from Lake Charles are staying:
Dad (F), C, M, J I, J K and R all left this morning to check out the properties and repair what they could. M and C got [to Lake Charles] either early this morning or late last night. Most houses have minimal damage with the exception of J I’s new house (they were set to move in next week) and J K’s house.
There is a curfew at 7 p.m., so the men are working feverishly to do what they can before they have to leave.
Here’s what they are saying when they call in: The devastation is unbelievable. Almost every tree is down. Trees that are still standing are stripped bare and are twisted in odd ways. From the looks of it, it will be weeks before they have electricity.
Using frustratingly undependable cell phones, we’ve been able to gather some information. Here’s what we have.
Mom and Dad: water went up to the porch line (10 feet above ground), but not into the house. The garage is flooded. Their car was parked at J’s house and a limb flew through the window.
C and K: All trees in their yard are gone. No significant damage to their house. No water in the house.
M and C: Trees in the pool; no significant house damage.
J and H’s new house: Tree through the roof. Evidently, it crashed completely through the two-story house. No significant damage to the “tree house” garage apartment where they live now.
Aunt B and R: The tail end of their balcony was clipped off by a falling tree. Storeroom in back was also hit by a falling tree.
J and D: No significant house damage.
S and S: One window out, other than that, no big house damage.
Aunt G and Uncle L’s house seemed to be o.k.; storeroom in back was hit by a tree.
The men said most of the trees in D’s yard are gone, including the pecan tree. Reports are that Mrs. S’s house [neighbor] is split in two.
They are taking lots of pictures. We’ll try to e-mail some of them to you all when we get a chance.
Thanks very much for all your kind thoughts and prayers. A bunch of cousins are there. Has anyone heard from C B [near Beaumont, TX] and Aunt J?
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