A Message from the Chapter
Dear fellow ACP Louisiana Chapter members,
It is with a heavy heart that I greet you following the devastation and destruction from Hurricane Ida. While our Southwest still fights to recover from last year’s storms, we now face new tragedy and suffering to our Southeast. My thoughts and prayers are with all of our affected communities as we struggle to find safety, shelter and stability both personally and professionally.
I have received numerous inquiries on how to help from ACP members across the country – a testament to the strength and goodness of Internists everywhere. Our chapter will do our best to support our members, patients and communities – please reach out and let us know how best to accomplish this. We will be posting information on our website and via social media regarding resources and needs in the days and weeks to come. In times of hardship, it is vital to be supported.
As the state continues to struggle with not just hurricanes, but continued effects of COVID-19 and its impacts on the healthcare system, it’s as important a time as ever to stay connected. Please consider the American College of Physicians as a source of support, consider the Louisiana Chapter a source of support. The road will be long ahead and we will be with you through whatever comes next. I am humbled and inspired every day by the work we do and the resiliency of our practicing physicians, residents, fellows and medical students.
Please stay hopeful, stay connected and stay safe.
My prayers are with and for all of us,
Angie Angela C. Johnson
ACP Governor, Louisiana Chapter
Donation and Resource Information
(Information as of September 7, 2021)
Louisiana Hurricane Ida Relief
Source: NY TimesThe Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves South Louisiana, has prepared more than 3,500 disaster-readiness food boxes with items like rehydration drinks and nutrition bars, as well as bottled water. It also maintains cooking equipment that can be transported to heat prepared meals. Donations of bottled water and cleaning supplies are welcome. Volunteers can apply to help, but donations of money are the most efficient way to assist the aid effort, the organization said.
The Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of trained disaster workers and relief supplies to support people in evacuation shelters. About 600 volunteers were prepared to support Ida relief efforts, and shelters have been opened in Louisiana and Mississippi, with cots, blankets and comfort kits, and ready-to-eat meals. The organization has also positioned products needed for blood transfusions. Donations can be made through redcross.org, or 800-RED-CROSS, or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.
United Way of Southeast Louisiana is collecting donations for a relief fund to rebuild and provide long-term assistance, including community grants.
SBP, originally known as the St. Bernard Project, was founded in 2006 by a couple in St. Bernard Parish who were frustrated by the slow response after Hurricane Katrina. It focuses on restoring damaged homes and businesses and supporting recovery policies. Its Hurricane Ida plan needs donations, which will pay for supplies for home rebuilding and protective equipment for team members.
A number of volunteer rescue groups operate under some variation of the name Cajun Navy. One is Cajun Navy Relief, a volunteer disaster response team that became a formal nonprofit organization in 2017; it has provided relief and rescue services during more than a dozen of Louisiana’s floods, hurricanes and tropical storms. The team has identified supplies that are needed and is accepting donations.
Rebuilding Together New Orleans, which uses volunteer labor to repair homes, accepts donations to help with its work. The organization has also created an online wish list, and a hotline number: (844) 965-1386.
AmeriCares, a health-focused relief and development organization, is responding to Ida in Louisiana and Mississippi and matching donations. Vito Castelgrande, the leader of its Hurricane Ida team, said the organization would begin assessing damage in the hardest-hit communities when it is safe to travel.
Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based nonprofit group, was founded in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the hometown of its founder, Gary LeBlanc. The organization has served more than 15 million meals to people affected by natural disasters or who have other needs. The group has deployed two mobile kitchens to serve hot meals in Ida’s wake and is accepting donations.
New Orleans Information
If you have evacuated from the New Orleans area, please DO NOT return as of September 2, 2021.
As the city works to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ida, @CityOfNOLA has established a daily curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., effective immediately and until further notice. #NOPD will be strictly enforcing this curfew throughout its duration.
Where is gas available?
https://tracker.gasbuddy.com/?q=New%20Orleans,%20LA
Up-to-date current information:
Out-of-state #HurricaneIda survivors can reach 211 service by visiting Louisiana211.org or by dialing 1-800-755-5175.
Please check http://511la.org before you travel for the latest lane and road closure information
Ochsner clinics and pharmacy openings/closures:
https://www.ochsner.org/location-updates
Operation Blue Roof - Roof Damage
Operation Blue Roof offers FREE installation of a fiber-reinforced sheeting to protect your damaged roof. Sign up at http://Blueroof.us or Call 1-888-766-3258
Fill out a Right of Entry form so installers can enter your home
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:
Text LADSNAP to 898-211 to receive #DSNAP updates, if DSNAP is approved for your area
FEMA
#NOLA residents affected by Hurricane #Ida can apply for FEMA assistance:
Visit http://disasterassistance.gov
Call 800-621-3362 between 6am-10pm
To Register with FEMA and review all resources available through FEMA:
https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/resources-assist-your-recovery
Must be registered with FEMA to apply for disaster relief.
NOLA
All http://nola.gov websites are currently down right now, including http://ready.nola.gov
We'll be communicating important Hurricane #Ida information via social media and over text. Text NOLAREADY to 77295.
What Is Open
Source: 4WWL (CBS affiliate): https://www.wwltv.com/article/weather/hurricane/opennola-heres-whats-open/289-301176b6-e7d2-441a-a37c-bb75361a0e33
Source: The New Orleans Advocate: https://www.nola.com/news/hurricane/article_cdedb25a-0a6c-11ec-84d6-c786e1d5747b.html
Volunteering
WCK is looking for more volunteers in New Orleans!
If you are available to help prepare, pack, or serve meals, come to NOCHI at 725 Howard St. Note, volunteers must show proof of vaccination. #ChefsForLouisiana
More info here: http://ida.wck.volunteerhub.com
Need Shelter:
Transitional sheltering assistance program has been activated, meaning New Orleanians displaced by #Ida may be eligible for paid hotel lodging. You must apply for disaster assistance first at http://disasterassistance.gov to be deemed eligible. More: http://femaevachotels.com
Tune into news reports for shelters in your community.
Text LASHELTER to 898-211 or call 211 for statewide drive-up shelters.
Orleans updates: Text NOLAREADY to 77295.
To locate family members in a state shelter:
DCFS Connect
Looking for ways to volunteer:
Free Meals in New Orleans:
TONS of FREE MEALS available around #nola today & in the coming days after #hurricaneida thanks to the amazing work of WC Kitchen, The Salvation Army and Second Harvest. See list of meal sites at http://ready.nola.gov.
Power Restoration:
We've released preliminary estimated restoration times. Specific restoration times down to the local area are continuing to be developed and will be released in the coming days. Estimates are subject to change, and we'll issue updates as we learn more. http://enter.gy/6019yIRN9
Feeding Louisiana
https://www.feedinglouisiana.org/hurricane-ida-response
Points Of Distribution Stations added in Lafourche, 8a-6p
Bayou Blue Rec Center 200 Mazerac St Houma, LA 70364
Sixth Ward Middle School 1865 Choctaw Rd, Thibodaux, LA 70301
Contractor fraud reports: (985) 413-4498 (Lafourche)
Check Feeding Louisiana on Twitter and Facebook for all PODS in LA.
Cooling Stations throughout LA:
Find the nearest cooling station to you:
https://www.trumba.com/calendars/HurricaneIda
Mental Health Resources
Keep Calm Hotline:
866-310-7977
Behavioral Health recovery Outreach Line:
833-333-1132
Crisis Text Line:
Text “REACHOUT” to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Line:
800-273-8255
Bayou Terrebonne Resources
Curfew in New Orleans has been lifted.
Operation Blue Roof is on the ground in LA, installed the first blue roof on 9/8/2021. http://Blueroof.us or call 888-766-3258.
Louisiana Government Agency Updates:
Any Louisianan affected by Hurricane #Ida can use http://HurricaneRecovery.la.gov to find important updates, information and links to resources. Be sure to visit.
Tax Information:
Victims of #HurricaneIda now have until January 3, 2022, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Read more: https://go.usa.gov/xMqsh #IRS
Medical Necessities:
Affected by Hurricane Ida and have medical needs? Call 1-800-270-6185 for help from the Emergency Management Disability & Aging Coalition. EMDAC can help connect you with your medical necessities until you get back home.