Hurricane Laura brought devastating winds, storm surge, and waters to all of Louisiana and a portion of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Texas evacuation routes included I-45 Northbound, with the possibility of opening it for a Contraflow route.

Contraflow route is a route where both directions of traffic are heading one direction. On I-45 that means the southbound is used as a northbound.

Highway 84 was also included as part of the major evacuation routes for people heading north from the area between Houston and Beaumont.

This led to a high influx of people coming through the County, and especially Fairfield, to escape the storm.

This showed by local hotels filling up quickly and the significant increase in traffic.

Most people came from areas where the COVID-19 infection rate is higher, and could potentially have brought a risk for more people being infected locally.

The storm surge flooded a significant portion of the coastal area including Galveston Island, but the eye of Hurricane Laura did miss the area by less than 100 miles.

The eastern sides of Hurricanes are the ‘clean’ side and do not have the range and destructive power of the western side or the ‘dirty’ side.

Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron, LA as an extremely strong Category 4 with 150 mph winds. A Category 5 has at least 157 mph winds.

This was the strongest storm in over 100 years to make landfall on that portion of the coast.

Even though the hurricane missed most of Houston, people are still suffering from roaming brownouts in the Houston area.

This, along with the severity of damage Louisiana has experienced, has many people asking: What can I do to help?

There are always Red Cross and FEMA donations, but many from the more damaged areas are saying they have not received help from either, as of yet.

Visit Redcross.org or Fema.gov if you do choose to donate through either one.

Freestone County resident, Brian Granberry has taken one load to help, and is working on gathering donations for another load.

Granberry can be reached at 903-644-6965 by anyone wanting to help. He can meet up locally and is accepting cash donations to be able to buy anything necessary.

Items that are needed right now:
–Gas cans
–Extension cords
–Water
–Gatorade
–Ice preferably with a cooler to carry it
–Coolers
–Non-perishable food items (can goods are best)
–Plastic Totes

If you know of any persons, businesses, churches, organizations, or anyone else taking donations, please contact The “Times” via Facebook or by calling 903-389-6397 so we can get the word out there. Or, send an email to news@freestonecountytimes.com