Three years later, Terrebonne Parish is still recovering from Hurricane Ida

TERREBONNE PARISH, La. ( WGNO ) — Thursday marked the third anniversary of Hurricane Ida, and it showed that people are still working to fully recover from the storm.

“I had never seen so much destruction,” said Montegut resident Janice Hamilton.

For small bayou towns like Montegut, images of Hurricane Ida still haunt them. Hamilton says a close friend is still living in a trailer outside of her destroyed home.

“FEMA was supposed to come to tear the remains of her house down. Well, FEMA never showed up, so she is still in this FEMA trailer on the property. The remains of her house is still there, and she looks at it every day,” said Hamilton.

For some, the anniversary is a friendly reminder that in the blink of an eye, anything can be taken away.

“You’ve got to take what the good Lord gives you. In one day, you could have all want in one day. Another day, he can take it all away if he wants,” said Chauvin resident Joseph Scott.

Others say they lost more than just their homes.

“We grew up in that home, and it was my home. It was kind of sad. I also lost a couple of friends because of Ida, but I had to deal with it,” said Chauvin resident Julia Scott.

In Chauvin, there are still blue roofs, and FEMA trailers still sit outside of many people’s homes. Joseph Scott says he was determined to rebuild his home for his family, though he understands other families were not as fortunate.

“They got a lot of people leaving from off the bayou because they can’t afford nothing. Already they ain’t got nothing because they can’t afford the insurance for nothing. Flood insurance, wind insurance, nothing,” said Joseph Scott.

“Most people in this area did not have insurance because they couldn’t afford it. A lot of properties have been abandoned,” said Hamilton.

Though some say hurricane season brings back bad memories, they are still grateful they were able to get through Hurricane Ida safely.

“I just thank the good Lord every morning that we are still alive and I thank him for what I am doing. Cause without his help, ain’t no way I could make it, not at my age,” said Chauvin resident Albert Scott.

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