By james art BATON ROUGE — When Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in 2021 with 150 mph winds, the destruction was widespread. It was the third time a Category 4 hurricane made landfall in the state and the second time such a storm hit on Aug. 29, the same date as Hurricane Katrina. Many argue that these two storms had the greatest impact on Louisiana in modern history.
Ida’s relentless assault on southern Louisiana was felt from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Municipalities in the capital suffered significant damage. As of August 2024, more than 800 people in southeast Louisiana remain displaced from their homes.
One of those affected is Mrs. Julia Thomas.
“Everything was taken out from under us”
Ida brought down a massive tree on Thomas’ home in Baton Rouge, where she had lived for more than 50 years. Since 1969, Thomas has raised three children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in her 2nd Avenue residence.
But her house is not her home since the 2021 storm.
“It’s just been a long time since then,” said Thomas’ daughter, Wanda. “I was in an accident and couldn’t walk for two months. My fiance passed away. My mom was there to help me, but I watched her cry every day about the house she lived in since I was four years old. It was really hard.”
FEMA initially provided $30,000 to help Thomas with repairs, which covered the cost of removing the tree. According to Wanda, it cost her mother $15,000. But things quickly got complicated.
“Then we got a call from FEMA the next month saying they had overpaid us,” Wanda said.
Because removing the tree only cost Thomas half the money FEMA provided, she had to return the rest of the funds to the federal agency.
“We had to pay the rest of the money back,” Wanda explained. “It felt like we were finally moving forward, but suddenly everything was ripped out from under us.”
Donate Now: Help Ms. Thomas via GoFundMe
“We’ve tried everything”
Eventually, the family contacted Restore Louisiana, an organization that provides federal grants to homeowners affected by Ida. In 2023, the organization approved a grant for Thomas, but it came with conditions.
To get federal help to repair his home, Thomas had to come up with $10,565.12, an amount the organization listed as the homeowner’s responsibility.
“My mother is 78 years old. She doesn’t just have that much money around,” Wanda said. “She is a faithful member of her church, still drives and makes food deliveries to elderly people from the food bank.”
Even though she doesn’t live in her home, Thomas continues to pay $500 a month on her home note, along with additional monthly storage fees for her belongings. Meanwhile, her family is working to raise more than $10,000 needed to tear down and rebuild the hurricane-damaged house.
“We tried everything,” Wanda explained. “Finally, a local bank generously donated $5,000, but we’re still $4,500 short.” Despite their efforts, time is running out. Thomas has until 5pm on November 1 to raise the money or lose the grant entirely.
“If we don’t raise this amount, my mother will lose the grant and will not be eligible for any other assistance,” Wanda said.
“She deserves the chance to come home”
As the deadline approaches, the community races against time to save the home. A fundraising dinner is set for Sunday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sunshine Place, 8330 Scenic Highway, and donations are also being accepted through a GoFundMe campaign.
Baton Rouge NAACP President Eugene Collins has been vocal about getting Thomas the help he needs. In a video posted on Instagram, Collins urged people to help and donate, highlighting Thomas’ situation to ensure she can keep her home.
“I want to see us do everything we can to make sure Ms. Thomas can go back to her home,” Collins said. “When our elders call, it is our duty to stop and lend a hand as much as we can. Being asked to expand this cause was an honor and meeting Ms. Thomas was a truly wonderful experience. She is an amazing woman who deserves the chance to come home.
Thomas and her family remain hopeful that the community spirit of South Louisiana will help save her home.
“Without this home, we will lose part of our family’s legacy,” Wanda added. “My mother has lived here since 1969 and we cannot imagine life without her. This house is more than just a structure – it is part of who we are.”
Donate Now: Help Ms. Thomas via GoFundMe
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