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September 19, 2008 - WWL-TV
Lafitte works to get back to normal
By Bill Capo
The storm surge is finally draining away in Lafitte. Now Highway 45 is passable, side streets, yards, and homes are draining, and residents are trying to get things back to normal.
"I just ask that if you have uniforms, please wear them, if not I just ask that you come to school dressed appropriate,” said George Hebert, Fisher High School principal.
A standing room only crowd of parents and students filled the once-flooded Fisher High School gym to find out what happens when school re-opens on Monday. Because flood damage is making some classrooms unusable, high school classes will start at 6 a.m. and last until noon, while middle school students will have classes from noon to 6 p.m. Hearing they start classes at dawn drew gasps from high school students.
"Oh it’s gonna be crazy, I got to wake up extra early now," said one student.
"That's horrible, its too early," said another student
“I'm gonna be dead, but I'm gonna get back up there. I mean they serving breakfast for us and stuff,” said one other student.
Crews cleaning flood damage had help from students, and parents like Norris Cheramie.
"10 hours a day since Monday, and however long it takes, doesn't matter, I'll work all weekend until we get it back under control," Cheramie said.
As the flood waters recede and the cleanup begins, for many people in this area, there's an extra note of thanks for the volunteers who are coming in to make the cleanup start.
A high energy team from Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands swept through Julius Moll's mother's house, making short work of removing flood damaged belongings, and gutting wet wallboard.
"I think they're wonderful. Can't ask for better help. Good Lord sent them. I'd be two weeks trying to clean it myself," Moll said.
This is the first of 75 homes that Lafitte residents signed up to be gutted. That's on top of Katrina repair work the agency is still doing in New Orleans, so they need volunteers.
"We're going to try to recruit as many local volunteers this time as we can,” said Paul Cook from Catholic Charities. “You know a lot of people who have rebuilt from Katrina were fortunate enough they didn't flood, we're hoping we can recruit them."
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