Cajun Navy, a citizen-led rescue group, ready to help as Hurricane Laura blitzes Gulf Coast
LAFAYETTE, La. – As Hurricane Laura continues to slam Louisiana and Texas with gusty winds and heavy rain, Cajun Navy Relief and Rescue has boots on the ground all over the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The Cajun Navy is a non-profit citizen-led organization founded in 2016 dedicated to organizing non-critical rescues and relief efforts during natural disasters.
“As communities in Louisiana and Texas anticipate the landfall of Hurricane Laura, Cajun Navy Relief is actively working to support local officials in the effort of securing resources and providing rescue aid to individuals expected to face impacts of the hurricane," Cajun Navy President Colleen Udell said in a statement.
Staging teams have been deployed to the Lake Charles area and Lafayette Parish in Louisiana, as well as Beaumont, Texas, in anticipation of flooding, Udell said.
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In preparation for rescue missions, member Donald Elam said instrumental supplies required are: first aid kits, extra fuel, chainsaw, life jackets for adults and children, a bag of tools and plenty of water and masks.
"This historic storm is still raging at the Cajun Navy staging area near Lake Charles. [Southwest Louisiana] is in trouble and will need help," the team posted on its Facebook page.
Some members of the Cajun Navy were also spotted at Buc-ee's in Baytown, Texas, before heading east to help, according to ABC13 Houston.
Earlier in the night, members of the cajun navy stopped at Buc-ee's in Baytown before heading east to help. pic.twitter.com/QaoI7XYfMf
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) August 27, 2020
The Cajun Navy's Hummer can drive through flood waters as high as six feet, which can help clear the way for other vehicles behind it, ABC 13 reported.
We are staged up in Jennings, La. waiting on Hurricane Laura to join the party! Y’all stay safe! @CW39Houston @ltgrusselhonore @cajun_navy pic.twitter.com/vDd12ZDAOI
— Official Louisiana Cajun Navy (@LouisianaCNavy) August 26, 2020
CAJUN NAVY RESCUES: The group is coordinating rescue efforts out of Beaumont once #HurricaneLaura passes thru & it’s safe! https://t.co/xjehDUeAVT pic.twitter.com/rXdcG1jxGs
— Charly Edsitty (@CharlyABC13) August 27, 2020
"Please keep all our volunteers in your thoughts and prayers," the Cajun Navy Relief tweeted Thursday. "Our boaters as they begin to embark on this trying path. Leaving their families to come and help others all while risking their own lives."
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Please keep all of our volunteers in your thoughts and prayers.
Our boaters as they begin to embark on this trying path. Leaving their families to come and help others all while risking their own lives. 1/2— CajunNavyRelief (@CajunNavyRelief) August 27, 2020
2/2 Our dispatchers and volunteers whom answer those panicked calls for help. As well as everyone that is in the path of this hurricane.
"Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping " Mr. Rogers#CajunNavy #CajunNavyRelief #CNR #USAR #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/XfMuFC8JCE— CajunNavyRelief (@CajunNavyRelief) August 27, 2020
To request help from the Cajun Navy, first call 911, then visit their website to request a rescue.
You can also request help through the Zello app by using the Cajun Navy Disaster Response channel.
Contributing: Jay Cannon, USA TODAY
Follow Daniella Medina of the USA TODAY Network on Twitter @danimedinanews.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Cajun Navy volunteers ready to respond to Hurricane Laura rescue calls