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Violent Storms Take Toll on District 3
BellSouth technicians are working 12-hour shifts to restore infrastructure and phone service throughout much of Louisiana as District 3 staff and local presidents continue to assess the damage done to members by Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili.
"Though reports are incomplete, we're aware that members are suffering and we will do everything we possibly can to help them," said District 3 Vice President Jimmy Smith. He urged members with severe storm damage to request applications for CWA Disaster Relief Fund assistance through their local presidents. Applications can be obtained from CWA representatives, who will forward completed applications to Booker Lester, administrative assistant to the vice president and disaster relief coordinator for the district.
Driven by 65 mph winds, Isidore swept ashore on Sept. 25 and deluged New Orleans with 10-12 inches of rainfall. In some parts of the city, the waters rose to the level of windshields. CWA Local President Michael Fahrenholt said while some members experienced flooding, he had not received any requests for assistance. While the core of the storm swept inland just west of the city, flooding was also reported in coastal areas of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
A few days later, thousands including CWA members evacuated coastal areas all along the Gulf Coast in anticipation of Hurricane Lili. Though residents had braced for the 145 mph winds of a Category 4 hurricane, Lili came ashore on the central Louisiana coast Oct. 3 as a Category 2. Still, its 80-100 mph winds felled mighty oak trees, downed phone lines and knocked out power to 350,000 homes.
Not knowing where the hurricane would strike, BellSouth opened its facilities as shelters for employees. In Lake Charles, La., four hours west of New Orleans, five Local 3407 families stayed at the Lake Charles central office for three days while technicians continued to work. Fortunately, Kenny Sonnier left his wife Dusty and their 2-year-old daughter there - Kenny's mobile home in nearby Eunice was destroyed.
With power out to 350,000 homes and residents dependent upon gasoline powered generators, Local 3407 President Liz Verret reported that one member, Cassandra Herman, lost her grandmother to carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator set up in her garage.
In Lafayette, La., 20 miles inland from New Orleans, Cingular closed its call center for a day, allowing 475 Local 3406 customer representatives to seek shelter. Local 3406 President Judy Bruno said members drove as far as Little Rock, Ark. and Waco, Texas to find hotel rooms. Power was still out in some areas of her local as the Newsletter went to press and, she said members had to discard spoiled food.
"Though reports are incomplete, we're aware that members are suffering and we will do everything we possibly can to help them," said District 3 Vice President Jimmy Smith. He urged members with severe storm damage to request applications for CWA Disaster Relief Fund assistance through their local presidents. Applications can be obtained from CWA representatives, who will forward completed applications to Booker Lester, administrative assistant to the vice president and disaster relief coordinator for the district.
Driven by 65 mph winds, Isidore swept ashore on Sept. 25 and deluged New Orleans with 10-12 inches of rainfall. In some parts of the city, the waters rose to the level of windshields. CWA Local President Michael Fahrenholt said while some members experienced flooding, he had not received any requests for assistance. While the core of the storm swept inland just west of the city, flooding was also reported in coastal areas of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
A few days later, thousands including CWA members evacuated coastal areas all along the Gulf Coast in anticipation of Hurricane Lili. Though residents had braced for the 145 mph winds of a Category 4 hurricane, Lili came ashore on the central Louisiana coast Oct. 3 as a Category 2. Still, its 80-100 mph winds felled mighty oak trees, downed phone lines and knocked out power to 350,000 homes.
Not knowing where the hurricane would strike, BellSouth opened its facilities as shelters for employees. In Lake Charles, La., four hours west of New Orleans, five Local 3407 families stayed at the Lake Charles central office for three days while technicians continued to work. Fortunately, Kenny Sonnier left his wife Dusty and their 2-year-old daughter there - Kenny's mobile home in nearby Eunice was destroyed.
With power out to 350,000 homes and residents dependent upon gasoline powered generators, Local 3407 President Liz Verret reported that one member, Cassandra Herman, lost her grandmother to carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator set up in her garage.
In Lafayette, La., 20 miles inland from New Orleans, Cingular closed its call center for a day, allowing 475 Local 3406 customer representatives to seek shelter. Local 3406 President Judy Bruno said members drove as far as Little Rock, Ark. and Waco, Texas to find hotel rooms. Power was still out in some areas of her local as the Newsletter went to press and, she said members had to discard spoiled food.