Nursing Professor Sees Devastation of Hurricane Isaac

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A house sits on the highway after being pushed off its foundation by Hurricane Isaac floodwaters.

Tom Kippenbrock is a professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas. He and his wife, Mary Jean, who is also a nurse, began volunteering for the American Red Cross about a year ago. Last month, they spent two weeks in six Louisiana parishes during the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Below, Kippenbrock describes some of their experiences. You can see more pictures on the College of Education and Health Professions Facebook page.

“My wife and I spent two weeks in the American Red Cross health services helping victims of Hurricane Isaac. At least 13,000 Louisiana homes were damaged by Hurricane Isaac. We were assigned to outreach teams, which allowed us to see the devastation – homes off their foundations and in the middle of the road, crypts and coffins moved from cemeteries to the side of the levee, homes with flood lines on the roof, and entire suburbs with rubbish of Sheetrock, furniture, and belongings on the street awaiting removal.”

“The people talked of Katrina, Gustav, and now Isaac. Some people never experienced flooding before but now had 18 inches to three feet of water in their homes.”

“Our work included helping flood victims replace their prescription medications and durable medical equipment lost in the flood, providing health assessments and first aid, delivering general and specific health teaching, and offering emotional support.”

“One school-age boy lost his glasses in the floodwaters during his family’s night-time evacuation – his home was not expected to flood.”

“Guiding others through Medicare and private insurance will allow them to replace the equipment that was now moldy and missing parts from the force of the waters. Teaching about getting rid of mold safely was essential. Listening to their stories was a priority as well. One couple was so excited that they found their daughter’s keepsake of her grandmother. This family’s home had water reach into the attic.”

“It was a surreal experience being in their home with mud everywhere, insulation hanging from the ceiling, furniture tossed, doors off hinges, a crypt with its body from the nearby cemetery in their backyard, and sounds of the ripped-up aluminum patio ceiling creaking in the wind while listening to them problem-solve and feel good that their children were already in another school.”