receiving trailers a year later

We've been doing a ton of tree removal jobs lately. We have a great system going - someone to tie the rope, pullers, chainsawers, and even a set-up in which we use the dump truck to pull the big trees (those that Jen, Marianne and I may not be quite strong enough versus the wind). As Ron told us when he watched us take down a couple of trees, "you're a well-oiled machine." So, while tree jobs have become the norm, I'm still surprised at the need.

We are the only organization along the Gulf Coast removing dead trees even though everyone sees the problem - from the local news to the forestry department. Aside from the shock I still have that we're the only group helping out in this way, I am also shocked as to why certain trees need to be removed. Most dead trees we remove so they won't fall on a trailer or house under construction. But in some cases, families still haven't even received their FEMA trailer. So we show up to an empty lot and I think to myself "Why are we taking these trees down?" And then I learn that it is so that the property can be safe to receive the trailer or start rebuilding.

This past week we worked on two lots so that their owners could receive their FEMA trailers. One lot needed trees cleared. We were able to remove the dead pines arounds the property to secure the area where the trailer would be put. The second lot needed major weeding to make an area suitable to place a trailer. The owner of this lot had to relocate to northern Louisiana a few months ago in order to work and had to leave her lot unattended.

Nearing a year later, people are still only now receiving their FEMA trailers. While some people are moving back into their homes and businesses are slowly but surely are reopening, there are still just as many people in the very first stages of rebuilding. It's a year later and many are just receiving the financial and government help they deserve. And still many others are still waiting.