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Storm mode shifts to recovery mode with help of U.S. Coast Guard

Posted at 4:13 PM, Aug 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-27 18:40:47-04

Residents of Delcambre are shifting to recovery mode, as the United States Coast Guard helps clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

"It was hard to catch a lot of who left and who stayed," said Lt. Collin McClelland. "So, this is as much an intel grab as it is getting people out of harm's way."

That includes people like Terry Latiolais, who has a raised home like many others in the area.

"I come check my house. My house is eight foot off the ground. I'm on stilts, so I'm good," Latiolais said of his home.

He's good for now, but across the street, there's a different story because of the storm surge.

"Now my son - two more feet and he's going to have water in his house."

But Latiolais said he's seen worse here in Delcambre.

"For Hurricane Rita, we had way more water than this. It was over the tracks," he explained.

Hopefully, this is as high as it'll go.

Latiolais said, "The wind is dying down, you say, maybe the water's going to go down. You just don't know."

When the water does start to recede, it'll be a slow process.

"You only got one outlet for the water to leave - that's the Delcambre bridge. Otherwise, you've just got little canals here every now and then."

It could take days for Latiolais to get back into his home.

For those who stayed - there's assistance.

"We're here to help you get to higher ground," said Lt. McClelland. "Honestly, I want everyone to come home safe. I want everybody to operate in a safe manner."

Some are feeling that it could have been a lot worse.

A lot of folks are just able to get back into some of these areas to assess the damage. Some are only able to get to their homes by boat right now. It's really just going to be assessing the damage here and seeing what needs to be done and crossing your fingers that there's a long time before a hurricane like Laura comes rolling around through South Louisiana.

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