Conditions are improving in New Orleans, but there’s still much work to do.
‘There’s been a vast improvement since last time,? said Stanley Garwood, volunteer with the North Oakland Disaster Relief Team. ‘But there are still huge malls, high rises, and houses that are vacant.?
Garwood, his wife, Kathy Garwood, and 13 other volunteers travelled down to New Orleans for a week recently, returning on Oct. 28.
This was Stanley’s third trip to the Gulf coast, which is still recovering after being severely damaged last year during Hurricane Katrina. During the previous trips, most of the time was spent ‘mucking out? houses and building.
Flood water, which rose from 7-12 feet in some areas of the city, swamped houses and buildings, and destroyed drywall, carpeting, electrical wiring, floors, clothes, and appliances. All of it had to be carried out and put to the curb for pick up. Workers had to wear helmets, safety glasses, and masks or respirators because of the mold.
‘It was really hard work,? Stanley said.
This time, they worked on construction projects with Habitat for Humanity, he said.
‘No masks ? it felt cleaner,? Kathy said. ‘It was a good feeling, hopeful.?
Volunteers from all over the country, many from the Midwest, have been working to rebuild the area all year, Stanley said.
‘I’ve been seeing a lot of college kids and churches,? he said. ‘They’ve seen the need, and they’ve been sending people ? it’s cool to see.?
Tom Forst and his sister Andrea Forst took time off from work and school to go on the NODRT trip.
‘I enjoy the work ? a lot of good people go on these trips,? said Tom, who used his vacation time to go on his third trip to the area. ‘New Orleans does need the help.?
They became part of the team initially through their involvement with the St. Daniel’s church youth group. This trip, they worked on construction and food distribution.
The residents of New Orleans have been appreciative of the volunteers, Kathy said.
‘People are very grateful ? they meet us at the airport to say thank you,? she said.
The area is slowly recovering. On a trip in May, the airport was mostly deserted.
‘We were the only plane on the tarmac, and the airport was dirty and dusty,? Stanley said. ‘Now, it’s clean and beautiful.?
People have started to come back, but many of those who moved away may have settled and won’t return, he said.
However, tourism is starting to pick up. One rebuilding priority has been Musicians Village, a place where entertainers can stay. The French Quarter, a popular tourist spot, was relatively undamaged during the storm.
‘There’s nothing wrong with Bourbon Street ? people can go there and have a good time,? Stanley said.
Another NODRT group of 13 volunteers is spending a week in New Orleans. They left Nov. 5 and are set to return Nov. 11.
NODRT is a coalition of churches, businesses, organizations and individuals in north Oakland County. Anyone 18 years old or older can join. For more information, call Stanley at 248-625-3123.