It's hot. Be careful out there. Click on this link for more information on how to stay safe in hot weather even for Florida's climate: 

https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

This past month we saw how quickly a storm can develop in a very unusual and unpredicted way. Hurricane Barry hit Louisiana as a category one hurricane in matter of days. However, what is unusual is that it came from land - more precisely the mountains of Tennessee. Barry made its way down as a storm formation, grew to strength in the Gulf quickly and hit Louisiana with coastal flooding and wind damage. The lesson from Barry is that unusual weather patterns these past several years can never be taken for granted. I know that we are saturated with BE READY calls on social media, news, internet and so on. But if you have never prepared for a storm of any size, I would encourage you to BE READY and prepare now because these storms are no longer how they used to be.

In my recent deployment to Oklahoma by Catholic Charities USA, I worked with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma (CCEOK) Disaster Director and team to serve 18 counties of Eastern Oklahoma that were affected by major flooding and tornadoes and saw over 4,800 FEMA applicants. The biggest takeaway from the trip, besides how awesome the people of Oklahoma are especially the staff at CCEOK, is that you need be insured especially with flood insurance. FEMA does not pay out enough. Even when they pay the maximum it is still short of what is needed to get your home back to its lovely self. I am thinking of Bonita Springs, Estero, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and anywhere near a river or canal. When a storm surge hits water goes up. How high did the water get from the banks of the Arkansas River to cause this national disaster declaration to be issued... up to 46.39 feet in some areas. That is unfathomable but since water likes the path of least resistance it will flood every low-lying area first so be prepared and consider purchasing flood insurance. It may not be required in your area but do the research. Compare the old and new flood maps offered by FEMA and your city.

In Oklahoma, we as a team of three people deployed by CCUSA were able to see the damage firsthand. We spent the holiday and weekends visiting affected areas with clean up kits and door hangers to tell folks about the services available through Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma. During the 15 day period we established a network of local resources, completed a database of 500 intakes collected from the Multi-Agency Resource Centers established after the flood, trained 16 volunteers and three case workers to call these cases back and to retrieve voice mails from the dedicated disaster line. We also produced training materials, consulted local staff during VOAD meetings and Long-Term Recovery Committee meetings, provided reconstruction information and contacts, and met several immediate needs of the vulnerable. 

For example, Gail Young, a retired nurse, who was flooded with four feet of water and had no one to help her. Being the last survivor of her family tree, she looked to us as the last hope. She was living in mold because she and her pets had nowhere to go. When we discovered Gail's intake, we organized a team of volunteers to gut her house and remove the source of mold. Our team provided guidance through the FEMA application process and put her case in a trained caseworker's hand to lead her each step of the way. 

Another case that stands out is the single mother of nine who lost a nebulizer for one of her children. I was able to connect her with a nurse who also happens to volunteer with the Red Cross. She not only was able to meet the need but also help navigate the sometimes-complex child insurance program in Oklahoma, aptly named for the Sooner state, SoonerCare. This nurse was able to help us with several more cases. I also was able to connect the agency with a retired Air Force veteran who had a team and warehouse to be able to provide support to victims of flooding in the far North East corner of the state where many tornado and flood victims applied for help. Rick and his team gutted three homes for the most vulnerable from mold damaged materials. 

We could not be prouder than to represent CCUSA in this deployment area of a declared national disaster. Many lessons were learned, many friends were gained but the need for having proper insurance and being prepared for the unexpected seemed to be the biggest takeaway. The irony of it all was that the other two members of my team were from Baton Rouge. They had to leave two days early because Hurricane Barry was going to hit their home state.