Another email from cousin M from Baton Rouge, whose parents live in Lake Charles:
Here's an updated update:
I was part of the crew that went to L.C. yesterday. Today I'm at work.
Strange times.
The tree damage to Lake Charles is incredible.We were guessing that about 50 percent of the trees in the city are down. Many roads (including W) are not passable due to large trees in the road. Lots of power lines down. There is no rhyme or reason for the type of tree down, how it fell or the direction it fell. All kinds of trees fell in all different directions. Many snapped in half, many toppled over unearthing huge attached root balls. Some trees literally twisted completely around and fell. The topography of Lake Charles has drastically changed.
J's new house seems to be the one with the most damage. As D said, a large tree fell on the front gashing a large hole in J's roof. Water poured into an upstairs bedroom and then ran down the walls to the downstairs. Fortunately, none of his furniture was in the house yet (their move date was last weekend). We (M, C I, J, C E, R, F, M's friend G, J and I) were able to cut off all the protruding branches (the tree was too big to cut off the roof) and nail a tarp down over the hole. C [Street] lost MANY trees and we had to cut our way through downed trees in the road just to drive to J's house. At least 10 houses on that street have a tree on the roof.
B and R's house lost a lot of their beautiful trees in their back yard. As D said, there was some minor damage to the house.
The high water mark at F's house was inches from his front and rear porch doors. No water inside the house though. A real close call. The garage still had some left over water in it. Dad lost some power tools and maybe his riding lawn mower (we'll see). C did lose the majority of his trees in his back yard. Some split, but most fell over from the roots. His house is fine. At the compound, S and S's rental house where J and A are staying took a huge branch in the northeast corner.This is over [the children's] room. The room took in a lot of water. The carpet is drenched as were some of the clothes, etc. We bagged up all of the kids' clothes and brought them to Baton Rouge for washing. All the trees at the compound are gone. It was certainly a sad sight to see that big old pecan tree down. It fell the only place it could have without damaging anything: into D and J's lot. Also, that big tree near the corner of the lot and S's property on Woodruff fell. It fell across D and J's driveway. When it did it smashed the rear window of Dad's car. Aunt G's house missed having a huge tree fall on it by about one foot. It fell across their driveway. Also, a huge tree fell and crushed the pen/storage area in the back of the yard where Uncle L used to keep his dogs. The L house had some minor roof damage (which I'm sure by now L has already repaired). L, D and S went to Lake Charles this morning. Anyhow, there's an updated 411. If I didn't mention a house or area, it's because D's email covered it. Overall, Lake Charles sustained a lot of damage that will take a while to clear away. J K and J I went down Ryan Street [the main street of downtown Lake Charles] and said the businesses there took a big hit. As for our family, all property damage sustained is repairable. We'll be watching the LSU game tonight at D's house. We still have the same crew staying there (J, H + family are there now too - the Bs are staying with me). O is cooking a big roast. D and C are at work and their kids in school. We're all looking forward to gathering again and cheering on the Tigers. One thing for sure about ALL of our Lake Charles kin, regardless of their own personal circumstances, when they are around a good time is had by all. Geaux Tigers!
Love, M
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