Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston, Sheriff’s Auxiliary and Northwest Georgia Sheriffs sending aid to flood-stricken areas in Louisiana
Gary Langford, Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk, Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross and Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader are organizing the relief effort.
Floods have ravaged this area for days caused by unusually heavy rains. Thousands have been displaced in what the Red Cross called the “biggest natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy.” An official from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office told Sheriff Ralston’s staff that more than 50 percent of the parish ( county) is underwater.
The supplies will be trucked to Louisiana with an escort of deputy sheriffs and turned over to East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreauex’s staff for distribution. The supplies are primarily for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office staff, over 180 of which have been displaced from their homes, a large portion permanently so.
Sheriff Gautreauex’s Operation Center Commander advised Sheriff Ralston that the items most urgently needed are new clothing and shoes ( all genders/ sizes/ ages) and toiletries, both male and female items. We cannot accept used clothing. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office has advised us that they have plenty of food and bottled water on hand. Donations are welcome.
Donated items will be accepted at the GORDON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE at 2700 US Highway 41 ( off I- 75 Exit 320), beginning at 8 a. m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 during normal business hours ( 8 a. m. – 5 p. m.) and on Saturday, Aug. 27 beginning at 8 a. m.
Sheriff Ralston encourages everyone to join in this relief effort. The supplies will be transported as soon as the trailer is filled.