Within a year, 2004 Brandon High School graduate Nicole Flood has learned to love fresh crawfish, survived the wrath of a hurricane, and helped numerous displaced families rebuild homes.
The accomplishments are all part of Flood’s post-college plan, which happens to include some rather unique cultural and regional challenges.
‘I got a real introduction to Louisiana,? said Flood, 22, who attended Albion College, where she received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, with a minor in gender studies, in June. ‘I had a chance to go to New Orleans last May for a two-week visit. I heard the stories of area people who were displaced following Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to go back and help.?
During the summer, Flood, the daughter of Brandon residents Dan and Pam Flood, accepted one of three internships with The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), a not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States.
The full-time position based in Louisiana assists those in need following Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the gulf area in August 2005. Flood assists the project coodinator, going out on storm-damaged sites to determine the scope of work needed.
‘Three years later, there’s a lot still to do in the gulf area. Right now, we’re past the gutting out and cleanup stage,? said Flood.
‘The community is now in the rebuilding portion. People think that the City of New Orleans is all rebuilt. Some parts are’the downtown area is pretty much back to normal. However, much of the lower income areas are not. Many streets have less than 50 percent of the homes livable. Part of the problem is that much of the volunteer work force is gone. Some have the money to do the work, but the labor is just not there.?
Flood reported that unscrupulous contractors, coupled with difficulties securing funding for rebuilding, often hinder the process.
‘There’s an amazing spirit down here,? she said. ‘The people want to come back even after all the storms.?
Flood recently was forced to evacuate New Orleans and travel north to Baton Rouge, La. during Hurricane Gustav. The weather event was unique to the Michigan native.
‘I was just panicked,? she said. ‘I had never been through a hurricane before’everything is so intensified’whole trees come right out of the ground. The first day after the storm, we could not get out of the house. There’s been areas without power for 20 days.?
Following the UMCOR internship later this year, Flood hopes to return to Michigan and continue to help people in some capacity.