Video: Columbus Residents Help Louisiana Flood Victims

DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (WCBI) – Columbus residents are helping to pick up the pieces.

Twelve volunteers traveled more than 300 miles to southern Louisiana this week to help those in need. Thirteen people died and more than 40,000 homes were damaged in last week’s flooding.

“Having people come in from everywhere and giving their time, it’s powerful,” Michael Luce said. He’s a pastor at Amite Baptist Church, where these volunteers from Columbus’ Fairview Baptist Church are concentrating their efforts.

They got a first-hand look at the debris lining the streets.

“It looked like everything that person owned had been hauled out to the road,” Robert Christian said.

“To see that was eye opening for me,” Rachel Robertson said.

Residents here say they’re grateful for the help.

“What’s been provided is the hope to know we are going to be able to rebuild,” Phil Jenkins, a member of the Denham Springs church, said.

The Mississippi group plans to make consistent trips to the area over the next three months to continue assistance.