On August 26, 2021, Hurricane Ida ripped through the Gulf Coast on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Ida left scores of residents – like  Jean and her mother Shreese – dislocated due to no residential power and shortages of basic essentials like food, water, and gas.

As the hurricane approached, Shreese was battling medical issues that required surgery.

“My surgery kept being canceled during COVID-19. So, when my surgery was scheduled during the announcement to evacuate the city of New Orleans because of the storm, I didn’t want to cancel it,” said Shreese.

Closely monitoring the hurricane, Shreese’s medical providers decided to proceed with her scheduled surgery – making her one of the last patients to undergo surgery prior to Hurricane Ida’s landfall.

Hurricane Ida left half the state of Louisiana without power, including the entire city of New Orleans. Post release from surgery, Jean and Shreese made the difficult decision to evacuate to San Antonio.

“My mother and I packed up all we could in my small car. Then headed to San Antonio, Texas, where my son lives,” said Jean.

What traditionally is an 8-hour drive turned into a strenuous 19-hour journey. While in transit, the 2-lane highway they traveled on quickly became a 4-lane highway, as cars drove slowly on both shoulders during the evacuation. Driving, Jean navigated around cars that ran out of gas, and found that several gas stations along the route no longer had gas to serve.

“Our trip was dangerous, and I wanted to keep my mother safe. Many individuals got impatient but God literally brought us out of the storm. For this, I am truly grateful,” said Jean.

Upon safe arrival, Jean’s son directed them to call the San Antonio Food Bank for assistance.

“We were able to get emergency food and information on federal benefits available to evacuees. We were surprised at how many people wanted to help us,” said Jean.

Jean and Shreese were able to receive emergency food and benefits assistance from the Food Bank to help sustain and nourish them during this difficult time for many.

More than a week after Hurricane Ida first made landfall in Louisiana, state health officials have announced 11 additional storm-related deaths, raising the official death toll to 82.

GET HELP – To learn more about receiving food assistance, signing up for benefits, or job assistance programs, visit safoodbank.org/help.

Thanks to Aramco Americas for their commitment to rebuilding our community after the recent hurricane.