All across the Baton Rouge area and south Louisiana, businesses and individuals alike were decimated by the catastrophic flooding that left thousands in shelters and out of their offices and homes. The recovery could take months, and the process will be as arduous as it will be long.
Here’s a recap of Daily Report’s coverage this week of the massive flooding and its aftermath.
- Flood insurance coverage will be a key issue going forward. An estimated 75% of those affected don’t have flood insurance coverage, state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says, setting up a long road to recovery for many of the victims. Meanwhile, a number of business owners are realizing that business interruption insurance may not do them a whole lot of good.
- The Capital Region’s employee workforce took a hit. Capital Region industrial facilities were largely spared, but their employees were greatly impacted. The same goes for restaurants. Medical professionals will be in demand as staffers are spread thin. And Baton Rouge contractors affected by the flood are getting back to work, even while they’re cleaning up themselves.
- On the supply side, Baton Rouge grocers struggled to meet the demand for food supply and other goods in the flood-ravaged region.
- In the real estate sector, demand shot up quickly for available multifamily units and hotel rooms. Supply will be very limited, however. On the commercial side, Juban Crossing’s developer hopes to re-open the shopping center within 90 days after it was inundated with water.
- Communication companies had plenty of issues this week. AT&T restored its service after a lengthy delay. A Cox equipment hub in Denham Springs was flooded, knocking out services to all of Livingston Parish.
- Speaking of communication, the national media have received criticism locally for a perceived lack of coverage of the flooding.
- Amid all the devastation, business owners have been irritated by a curfew enacted in East Baton Rouge Parish. It was bumped back from 10 p.m. to midnight today by Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, but business owners still want it gone.
- Many area schools were impacted, particularly in Livingston and Ascension parishes. In East Baton Rouge, Cristo Rey hopes to continue its work study program after its facilities were damaged.
- Bill Borne, the founder of Amedisys, was among those killed as a result of the flooding.
- For those affected, plenty of resources are available. Daily Report has compiled a list of resources for businesses and individuals. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is compiling a list of available workspaces for displaced companies. A recovery center for businesses opened up in Walker earlier this week.
- Meanwhile, local businesses have stepped up to help. A handful of Baton Rouge IT firms reached out to offer workspace and services to affected businesses. Local charitable organizations are offering a variety of ways to help flood victims. A number of restaurateurs are coming together to host a fundraiser. And a group of Baton Rouge entrepreneurs helped distribute donations from Gulfport, Mississippi.
