Historic floods in southeastern Louisiana this week have affected thousands of families and businesses in Baton Rouge and its surrounding communities, which are only beginning to assess the damage.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and ELECTRI International extend their thoughts and support those hurt by the flooding. NECA member businesses were flooded with water because of the storms, and the devastation has led NECA and ELECTRI International to issue a call for donations to replenish the fund and to reach out to those contractors who may have been affected.
The NECA Disaster Relief Fund (NECA Cares) was established in 2005 after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. Since then, grants provided by NECA Cares have helped members re-establish their businesses after natural disasters. According to NECA CEO John M. Grau, “After Katrina, NECA members wanted to help other members get back on their feet. This fund is a direct result of that desire to help.”
David E. Roberts, a field representative for NECA’s Southern Region who has talked to many people in the region, said businesses have been affected significantly. A lot of employees can’t come into work because of the damage to their homes.
“Business has to be put on hold until things can get going again,” said Roberts, who is based in Covington, LA. “It does impact everybody.”
About 40,000 homes have been affected by the flooding in Louisiana, according to news reports. More than 20,000 people have been rescued and about 8,000 were forced to stay in shelters. Businesses throughout the area have been hurt as well. The NECA Chapter Office in Baton Rouge has also been affected and had several feet of water in it.
Contractors are going to try to get back to work next week, Roberts said. But he added he’s not sure many people will be able to rebuild or fix the damage.
“It’s the worst disaster that’s ever happened to Baton Rouge,” Roberts said.
You can contribute to the NECA Disaster Relief Fund in two ways:
- Post a check to ELECTRI International, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814, and include “NECA Disaster Relief Fund” in the notes section of the check;
- Call 301-215-4548 to make a contribution via credit card.
To request assistance from the NECA Disaster Relief Fund, please visit www.electri.org/content/neca-disaster-relief-fund to indicate your specific needs. Contractors with offers of support in addition to monetary contributions can share this information at the link as well.
All contributions made to ELECTRI International for the NECA Disaster Relief Fund are fully tax deductible. ELECTRI International — The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. is a tax-exempt and publicly supported 501(c)(3) organization. As no goods or services will be provided in return for charitable contributions, a contribution through ELECTRI is fully tax deductible.
Tagged with Louisiana, NECA, tED