Over 400 Hurricane Ida evacuees fled southeast Louisiana in campers and RVs. They have now found shelter at Cypress Black Bayou Park, a report said.
According to the park, all 80 RV and camper spots are filled with evacuees. Also, condos, cottages, and cabins are full.
Rick Berry, Cypress Black Bayou Recreation District Executive director, stated that evacuees started arriving on Friday and more are anticipated.
“Some guests who are staying here claim that their relatives who have stayed behind say they have lost everything. Now making their way up to the top so things can be sorted out,” Berry explained
Berry said that some of those evacuees come from the most affected areas.
“We have assured those who have evacuated that they are not going anywhere. They will be housed,” Berry stated that “we have turned into an evacuation center.”
It is not recommended to travel back to New Orleans, as power and water are still out and trees are down on roads. Berry stated that evacuees could stay in the park for up to a week, or even a whole month.
Berry stated that evacuees paid initially for the first or second day of their stay, in hopes of returning home quicker. Berry said Tuesday’s meeting of the park board will decide whether or not to allow evacuees in the park to stay for free.
“That’s all that we can do to try and give these people lift,” Berry said. Berry stated that they are in dire need of all the help they can get.
Heather Morrison, Covington stated that the last thing she heard was that power might not be restored for three more weeks. “So we hope we won’t have to evacuate for three weeks. We are safe, and the campground has been wonderful to our family.
“Campground’s been amazing,” says Corey Guidry from Houma. “They’ve given us the food and the information we need. They aren’t kicking us out. We’re sort of past due, you know.”
Bossier Parish Police Jury supplies bottled water as well as paper supplies. For evacuees, the park has also set up a laundry room.
Berry and Bossier City Marshal Jim Whitman organized lunch for the evacuees on Tuesday. The weekend will be a time when meals will be provided by First Bossier and Cypress Baptist Church.
Berry stated that the park reached out to people with reservations for the Labor Day weekend in order to get them to cancel. Berry claims that some reservation holders donated their money to support the stay of evacuees.
It’s marvelous to see the park staff going the extra mile to lift evacuees’ spirits with activities and support services. How are the evacuees finding comfort during this challenging time?
Can you imagine it? The park has transformed into a shelter for over 400 Hurricane Ida evacuees. It’s truly astonishing to see the community coming together to provide support and comfort during this challenging time. The generosity and compassion are genuinely astounding.