After surviving a flood of its own in March, Natchitoches Parish residents were quick to empathize with the victims of the flood in South Louisiana.

BOM, Natchitoches Parish 4-H, Spark Studio, Comfort Inn and Suites and Freedom Life Church are collecting items for the victims of South Louisiana. Drop off any items to any location of BOM and they will get it to FLC for their shipment, which will be sent off Friday, Aug. 19. Packaged sanitary cleaning items are in most demand.

The City of Natchitoches Water and Electric Department donated water and supplies.

A group of NSU Greek Alumni joined forces to raise money to assist flood victims. They are set up at the Watson Library on the main campus of NSU and are asking for non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, school supplies and any other items that will be needed to assist the flood victims. Donate online (https://www.gofundme.com/2jyun44). The funds raised will then be released to various shelters in or around the Baton Rouge area including Denham Springs, Watson, Central, Gonzales and other affected areas. All other Greek organizations or any other former alumni or students at NSU can join in this effort.

A NPSO flat bottom boat and ARGO an amphibious all-terrain vehicle, which travels by ground or water, were dispatched by the NPSO Aug. 13. The NPSO Search and Rescue team consists of Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies and members from Natchitoches Fire Districts# 6, 7, 9 and Natchitoches City Fire Department.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones deployed four additional NPSO Deputies Aug. 16 per request of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Task Force to assist Sheriff Jason Ard and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Deputies with patrol operations in flood ravaged areas of Livingston Parish in south Louisiana.

The NPSO received reports that Livingston Parish has suffered horrific property loss due to the flood and over 75 percent of the parish is underwater.

David and Joy McGraw and Susan Begnaud are organizing donations to deliver to residents in affected areas. They’re partnering with U-Haul to transport items to areas in South Louisiana. Items can be dropped off at Church St. Inn in downtown Natchitoches or the Keepsake Self-Storage facility on the Hwy. 1 Bypass.