Much to my relief I got a call today from my client from New Orleans. He was calling from Tuscon Arizona and working in a branch office. He was talking faster than the speed of light and that made me wonder if it was the ongoing Adrenalin rush from what he has been going through for the last two weeks.
He started out by saying he was a “coward” because he high-tailed it out of town. “Coward” isn’t exactly the word I would use. In retrospect he was closer to brilliant. With the benefit of hindsight it’s hard to imagine anyone opting to stay.
He spent the first night with family in Baton Rouge and watched the trees bend in 100 MPH winds.
I don’t know how or when he made it to Arizona, but he said that he had been treated well by just about everyone. He is fully insured, and suggested that all those years of paying premiums has paid off. That’s the odd way we all look at insurance I guess, but even so I found it funny.
His auto carrier for his brand new car has given him replacement coverage for 40 days and said to simply call if he needs it to go on longer. His mortgage company has suspended payment for 90 days and said to call if he needs the suspension to be extended. His homeowner insurance company has forwarded him a check for $2000 for temporary living expenses.
OTOH one of his co-workers is getting evicted for non-payment of rent. Apparently the landlord thinks he can rent the place for twice the amount now, if he can get her out. I can’t imagine that they could find a judge to act on that request.
They think they will be back up and running in NO by October. That would be truly amazing if it happens.
With the exception of the eviction all of that is very good news.
Meanwhile we continue to collect clothes and supplies for the victims. I’ve learned that two families have come to stay at the local convention center – not the 500 people I recommended here. I hope to encourage my Rotary Chapter to aid some people with local ties. Watch for updates.