Hurricane Laura Updates

Hurricane Laura slashed through Louisiana and a left a trail of devastation. The storm was one of the most severe to have ever hit Louisiana. The impacts from this story will be felt for years to come. 

The Conference Office of Missional Outreach and Engagement continues to assess the situation and this page serves as an update on what we know, where some of the most extensive damage is and how we as Methodists can respond. 


Lake Charles District

• Alexandria, First: minor trees down
• Alexandria, Trinity: some damage to front of church, exposed wires in ceiling, tiles down
• ​Cameron, Wakefield: surrounded by water, see photo to the right.
• Colfax: Significant Roof Damage, Lost light pole in front of church, lost window in education center
• DeQuincy: Water damage, roof damage
• DeRidder, First: Youth building has half the shingles gone. Original sanctuary has significant water leakage on the original wood floors - so roof damage. Roof damage and leaking in the gym. Fascia torn off of the the old sanctuary. Significant damage to the playground of our pre-school
• Elton: window damage. some water damage inside.
• Grand Chenier: Total loss. Only Slab left.
• ​Hineston, Fellowship: Trees and power lines down with a few awnings and electrical issues along with some minor damage at the pavilion
• ​Hopewell: Significant roof damage
• Horseshoe Drive: small trees down
• Iowa First: trees down, the church is fine
• Lake Arthur: minor damage
• Lake Charles, First: damage inside worship center, portion of roof torn off
• Lake Charles, University: Significant damage to Day School, offices, Safe Harbor space, and kitchen
• Leesville, Korean: electric pole is damaged
• ​McNeese State Wesley Foundation: Building looks good. sign down and power lines
• Moss Bluff: roof damage
• ​Newman: roof damage
• Oberlin: Window Blown out water damage inside
• Pineville, First: minor damage
• Raymond: some roof damage
• Squyres: blown-out windows, roof damage, water damage in the sanctuary
• ​St. Luke Simpson: some damage
• ​Sulphur, Henning Memorial: sanctuary roof damage, fence down
• Sulphur, Maplewood: lost fellowship hall, roof, and sidewall, broken stained glass in the sanctuary
• ​Sulphur, Wesley: roof/ceiling damage. some tree limbs down
• Hackberry: Roof damage, downed trees
• ​Sweetlake: significant roof damage
• Union Chapel: roof damage
• ​​​Vinton, Welsh Memorial: water damage, roof damage 
• ​Warren: Roof has lots of shingles gone. Some fascia gone. A few windows in secondary building broken out. Trees down but not on church building.
• Westlake: significant water damage in sanctuary, some windows blown, roof damage
• Wilton: vinyl off of front of church. Wind blown water in vestibule

Acadiana District

• Bayou Chicot: Lost several sheets of metal roofing, difficult to cover and it has rained several tmes since so now there is additonal water damage.
• Lafayette, Northwood: minor water damage
• Lecompte: Lost shingles on Fellowship Hall
• Opelousas, St. Mark: lost sign
• St. Martinville, Mallileau: some damage but not specified yet. 

What's Next?

While these churches begin to repair and recover, ERT teams from across the connection will soon deploy. It is still too early for an advanced ERT callout. The Office of Missional Outreach and Engagement continues to monitor the situation.

Please refrain from self-deploying as it will hamper rescue efforts. Please monitor our web site and social media channels for those updates.

Give

The Conference has established a portal for those who wish to help. The web site is: www.la-umc.org/relief

You can also TEXT "relief" to 800-500-5858 and the landing page will appear on your smartphone. 
 

Photos?

If you have photos you would like to share with the Communications team, please head here.