By james art BATON ROUGE – The community is rallying behind a family that was displaced from their home for two years after Hurricane Ida hit the region.
On September 1, 2021, Wanda Thomas and her 76-year-old mother, Julia, were out of state when Hurricane Ida hit the Capital Region. When they returned, a massive tree had fallen into their home, leaving a gaping hole.
The family has lived in the home on 72nd Avenue since 1969, Julia Thomas raised three children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren there.
“This has been her home since she moved here. Losing that took a toll on her,” Julia’s daughter Wanda said. “That’s all she knows and for her not to be able to live in her own home is really not good.”
FEMA initially granted $30,000 to help Thomas with repairs, which was enough to cover the removal of the tree. Wanda said they got a call from FEMA to tell them they were overpaid and had to pay back half of that money. On top of that, they are still paying for an unoccupied home.
“We’ve been paying storage since the first week of September, my mom is still paying her $500 house loan every month since September, and she still can’t live in this house,” Wanda said.
After struggling to find the money, the family contacted Restore Louisiana, which approved a grant for Thomas. To qualify for federal assistance to repair her home, Thomas had to deposit $10,565.12, which the organization determined to be the homeowner’s share, by Nov. 1.
Thomas met Eugene Collins, who called the community for help.
“We made a video and it just went viral from there. We had contractors come to the house, people calling and saying what can I do,” Wanda said.
On Sunday, the community gathered at Sunshine’s Place to pick up lunch plates at $15 each. The meals were donated by an employee and friend of the family, Chametria Laverne.
Wanda said she feels this will get them where they need to be.
“We’re going to hit him today because we asked God to protect us and we’re going to hit him today and they’re going to start working on her house.”
Ttwo years after losing his home, Thomas struggles to find the words to express his gratitude for the community’s unwavering support.
“I just want to thank everybody for everything they do and have done for me, thank God for sending someone to help me,” Thomas said.
Donations are also accepted by the family GoFundMe.