American Tire Distributors (ATD) has set up a gofundme.com account to help its employees who have been affected by the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, La.
ATD’s Baton Rouge distribution center was just one of thousands of businesses affected by the recent flooding in southern Louisiana.
In a communication to all ATD employees, CEO Stuart Schuette said, “We’re thankful to report that all of our associates are safe.
“However, 14 local ATD employees and their families were displaced by the disaster. ATD is keeping in contact with our Baton Rouge teammates and are assisting them in getting located in a temporary housing solution, and has also assembled a cross functional team working to develop a contingency plan to ship product to customers from our surrounding ATD DCs while we sort through the work required to re-open Baton Rouge."
The gofundme account will help impacted associates get their lives back to normal. The outpouring of donations resulted in the fund’s original goal of $10,000 being surpassed in less than 24 hours. A new goal of $25,000 was set, and the company has surpassed $23,000.
Those who wish to help can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/2k8d8c4.
(UPDATE: The account raised $29,820 in one week, and is now closed.)
The Red Cross has called the flooding the worst natural disaster to strike the U.S. since Hurricane Sandy four years ago. It estimates the cost at $30 million.
Tens of thousands of residents in Louisiana and Mississippi were affected by the floods, which have been blamed for 13 deaths in five Louisiana parishes. Approximately 40,000 homes have been affected by the flooding that resulted from rainfall of 20 to 25 inches in many places between McComb, Miss., and Jennings, La., according to news reports. Thus far, at least 70,000 people have registered for federal disaster assistance.
“I'm not sure most of the country understands how bad this flood was,” says Carey Barron, manager of store operations for Chabill’s Tire and Auto Service in Morgan City, La.
It was estimated that Hurricane Katrina inundated New Orleans with 250 billion gallons of water. Because the storm stalled over Baton Rouge, it was much worse. As an example, according to weather service data, the town of Livingston just west of Baton Rouge received a total of 25.5 inches in four days. “That would mean for the town with just over three square miles, over one billion gallons of water fell,” the service noted.
Many of the home and company owners who live and work in the flooded areas don’t have flood insurance.
Watch this site for more information on how to help the flood victims.
