Louisiana city still faces long road to recovery after 2020 hurricanes

Lois Malvo in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been enduring life without plumbing for four years following hurricanes Laura and Delta. Her son fetches water for her baths, using a pump he bought online. The slow recovery in Lake Charles, a predominantly Black community where many live in poverty, has left residents like Malvo feeling neglected. Some face challenges accessing federal funds or are in disputes with insurance companies that underestimated damages. The housing crisis worsened as hurricanes destroyed homes and apartments, leaving residents struggling to find suitable housing.
Hurricanes Laura and Delta caused extensive damage to Lake Charles, with back-to-back disasters leading to billions of dollars in losses. Despite visible signs of recovery in some parts of the city, many areas remain in disrepair. Federal funding delays have prolonged the suffering of residents, with only a fraction of the allocated funds reaching those impacted by the hurricanes.
Insurance woes have added to the challenges faced by Lake Charles residents, with some receiving insufficient payouts for their damaged homes. The housing shortage persists as affordable rental units dwindle, forcing some residents to seek shelter elsewhere. The population decline in Lake Charles reflects the ongoing struggles faced by the community, with many unable to return home.
The traumatic aftermath of the hurricanes continues to haunt residents, who grapple with anxiety and fear with each new storm season. The emotional toll of the disasters has left lasting scars on many, with some struggling to cope with the uncertainty of future disasters. Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild and restore the city, the road to recovery remains long and arduous for many residents in Lake Charles.