By Anne McLean
Journal Correspondent

During the night of November 23, 2004, just two days prior to Thanksgiving, a series of tornadoes swept through central Louisiana. A number of areas beginning in East Texas and continuing through Louisiana to LaSalle and Caldwell parishes sustained damages from the twisters. The town of Olla (approximate population of 2,500 residents) in LaSalle parish was the most seriously damaged in the event, with one death and several injuries. Dozens of homes and businesses were damaged, many completely destroyed.

The high school at Olla suffered major damages, and moved its classes to a vacant industrial building formerly housing the Holloway sewing factory.

The Hunt Forest Products, Inc. hardwood sawmill on the north side of Olla was knocked out of operation. Repairs were nearing completion, with lumber production expected to resume at the end of March.

Within hours ater the tornado struck, National relief organizations, headed up by the American Red Cross, swiftly responded to the Olla emergency. The Salvation Army was called to the scene and in no time area residents received the most crucial aid: food and shelter. Now, over four months since the disaster, national organizations, regional volunteer groups, state and local individuals and representatives continue to support Olla in its reconstruction efforts.

Although Olla officials applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for disaster relief, their request was denied. Subsequently support has come from a number of other groups and individuals. In January, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), a coalition of non-profit relief organizations, began providing long-term support and guidance to Olla. Leeann Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of the Alexandria, LA American Red Cross office, is active in VOAD and compares the group's structure to that of a clearinghouse: "Various charitable organizations offering various services comprise VOAD. For this very reason VOAD can fulfill the diverse needs of the community and effectively connect victims with appropriate services and relief groups," Murphy explains.

VOAD holds weekly meetings in Olla and will continue its assistance to residents and Olla as long as a need exists. "Progress is definitely being made," comments Murphy. "The town is coming along and with each week strides are made towards restoring residents' homes."

Working with VOAD is the Olla Long-Term Recovery Committee, also established in January. It addresses individual victim cases along with municipal issues. Ileen McGuffee, Olla's Relief Coordinator, is grateful for all the assistance to date: "together VOAD and Olla's Long-Term Relief Committee continue to make great strides in helping residents. We are moving forward and there is a visible change now. We can see work getting done."

Olla's recovery committee identified three distinct phases of assistance. In Phase One individual cases of disaster victims without insurance policies are addressed. McGuffee proudly reports that only a few of these cases remain active. The committee, now in Phase Two, provides assistance to residents who hold insurance policies, but are not receiving adequately coverage for their expenses. McGuffee herself is one of these claimants. "I know that it is frustrating for people to not be able to receive the support that they thought was available to them. As a disaster victim myself, I empathize with Olla residents and the work that I do is all the more important," she states. In Phase Three municipal buildings and structures will be addressed.

Religious groups from around the state also continue to provide necessary assistance. "I cannot over-emphasize the tremendous help that comes from faith-based charities," McGuffee states. "Not only do they donate building supplies and materials, but they also provide laborers who work construction and fix homes," she continues. Such crucial assistance helps residents to re-enter their homes at a faster rate than many imagined. Other volunteer groups focus their efforts on debris removal, which is still a high priority for residents.

The Salvation Army also continues to visit Olla and provide support by serving concessions. Following the disaster, the Salvation Army's canteen arrived on site and provided meals for the disaster victims. These days however, the canteen's travels feeds the volunteer groups rather than the residents. In the first half of March alone the canteen served approximately 270 volunteers with meal donations from Mrs. Baird's, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. The Salvation Army provides additional support through its Ruston Service Center. Disaster victims can apply to receive furniture and household items. Debbie Williams, Area Director, who manages the Ruston Service Center notes, "If there is a need the Salvation Army will send help. This community needs everyone's support and I am happy knowing that we can ease some of their pain."

Back in Olla, McGuffee continues to locate companies and groups willing to donate their services. Her current challenge is to move a number of doublewide trailers and five houses that have been donated to Olla. She also maintains the volunteer groups' schedules, develops fundraising events, and has a number of personal long-range plans for Olla, including landscaping the main streets of Olla with crape myrtles and to offering basic landscaping services to residents. "Olla has a vacant look to it now. Planting trees would significantly help Olla re-establish its former feel of a planned town and go a long way to instill civic pride," McGuffee reflects.

A number of fundraising events are scheduled for Olla in May. Please visit www.olla.us or call the Olla Town Hall at 318-495-5151 for details.

Individual or group donations for relief may be mailed to Town of Olla Relief Fund, P.O. Box 223, Olla LA 71465.

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