Months after storms, struggles remain

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Well after Hurricanes Laura and Delta ravaged southwest Louisiana, the state and its people are still far from recovered, with many living in tents and cooking their meals over open fires while they slowly work to rebuild their destroyed homes.

Ricky and Cristin Trahan are among those still struggling, months after Hurricane Laura roared through the region as a Category 4 storm in August, followed by Category 2 Hurricane Delta in October.

From a relative’s house where they had taken refuge, the Trahans watched as Laura flipped over and destroyed their mobile home. When they returned, any possessions that hadn’t been looted were strewn about their property.

Since then, they have been living as a family in tents, only recently acquiring a camper for their son, Ricky Jr.; his fiancée, Katelyn Smith; and their 1-year-old boy; and a propane water heater that has allowed them to take hot showers.

The Trahans have received used clothing, occasional meals and other help from volunteers, but they still confront daily challenges. A recent cold front with strong winds and rain knocked out their gas generator, while extension cords plugged into a power strip lying in the wet mud had to be covered with plastic to protect them from the elements. Volunteers had given them a Christmas tree and lights to help them celebrate the holiday, but the rough weather forced them to stow the gifts in a storage tent.

Eventually the Trahans expect to receive a trailer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but they don’t believe it will arrive for some time. In the meantime, they do their best to survive in the cold, often rainy nights, improvising as they go along to survive in the rubble that was once their home.

Cristin Trahan looks at a new shower head and portable water heater after she arrived home from work.

Mary Ann Unson serves food to her mother Lou Ann Trahan, who lives with her and suffers from dementia, on Christmas Eve inside their gutted home. They are living in a camper on their property, while other relatives are living in tents and campers there as well, all of whom lost their home to the storms.

Ricky Trahan makes a fire on his property after their home was destroyed by both Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta in Lake Charles, La. (AP/Gerald Herbert)

Cristin Trahan wipes a tear as she speaks about her worries to a volunteer that is assisting them, amidst the rubble of the family’s destroyed home in Lake Charles, La.

Lou Ann Trahan takes a blanket off a clothes line to stay warm on Christmas Eve, in the gutted home of her daughter.

One-year-old Ricky Trahan plays on a Christmas toy on Christmas Eve inside the gutted Unson family home.