By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

RESERVE – Cynthia Bowman was upset to the point of crying when she called the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Dane Clement and L’Observateur on Oct. 12.

Bowmen explained that three families, living on Goshen Lane in Reserve, were trapped by flood waters for two days. She said 10 people – with no food to eat – were forced to share one loaf of bread between three men, three women and four children.

Bowman conveyed how hungry the children were and that two of the youngsters were sick and in need of medical treatment. One child was suffering severe asthma attacks and another child, suffering from a bone disorder, was in need of a physician.

Desperate for food, one of the mothers – nine months pregnant – tried to row a boat across the flood waters to reach high ground on the other side. If she reached the other side, she planned on walking to a nearby Texaco

(See WATER, Page 3A)

(From Page 1A)

station to purchase another loaf of bread. The last time someone managed to get to the convenience store, the station was out of the bread so desperately needed by the stranded families.

Bowman maintained the last straw came when children became sick and hungry.

She said she knew she had to do something. That is when she began to make phone calls.

Bowman reported, “There are three families living on Goshen Lane. We are trapped back here and can’t get out. No one knows we’re back here. Two women are pregnant. My child is suffering asthma attacks so badly they look like convulsions. We have absolutely nothing to eat. Three families are sharing one loaf of bread. We have missed several days of work and I do not know how I will pay my bills.”

Beginning to cry Bowman kept saying, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I am acting this way. The children are hungry. We need help. Please send someone back here. Please send someone to help us.”

By the time Clement was called, he had already responded to Bowman’s emotional pleas.

Clement walked down the corridor of the Percy Hebert Building to Parish President Nickie Monica’s office. Once there, he spoke with Chief Administration Officer Natalie H. Robottom.

Robottom told Clement she was somewhat familiar with the situation. She said Bowman had called Monica and that Monica had contacted the American Red Cross Headquarters for Southeast Louisiana, which is housed in New Orleans. Robottom recommended Clement talk with Department of Emergency Operation Services Director Paul Oncale.

Robottom asserted Oncale said, “I’m going to take a ride. If we don’t get food to them, I’m going to take money out of my own pocket.”

Clement asked Lieutenant Edward Nowell to ride with Oncale to help search for the three families.

Nowell and Oncale found the stranded individuals on Goshen Lane.

After finding Bowman and speaking with her, Oncale took immediate action.

Oncale called Red Cross and asked them to respond immediately.

American Red Cross Disaster Specialists Eric Zammit Jr. and Bruce Cuber stayed in contact with Emergency Operation Services Assistant Director Kathy Gilmore and with Bowman.

Zammit said, “They were hungry. I really felt for this lady (Bowman). I left a meeting and we reacted immediately.. We assisted as soon as possible.”

Red Cross sent a truck carrying snack foods such as tuna, crackers, spam, canned food and lunchables.

Gilmore called Bowman from the EOC office asked what provisions were needed to satisfy the needs of the children.

Bowman said the tots would really benefit from cereal and milk.

Oncale took $100 from his pocket, drove to a nearby store and purchased, cereal, milk, juice, bottled water and several other necessities.

Once the Red Cross truck arrived, another problem developed. The truck could not make it across the flood waters.

Oncale took the food from the Red Cross mobile and placed the goodies inside his truck, with the groceries he just purchased.

Zammit said Oncale’s truck barely made it through the high water.

“Water was up to the door on Oncale’s truck, but he insisted on crossing,” said Zammit.

Oncale said Bowman placed the groceries on her porch.

“She evenly divided the food between the three families. The other families came over to pick up their groceries,” said Oncale.

With a soft-spoken voice and a heartfelt sympathy, Oncale said, “I knew there was flood water in the Goshen Lane area. But I had no knowledge these families were trapped back there.”

Zammit said, “Goshen Lane has been placed in our system as a target zone. The next time bad weather or flood waters threaten this area, these families will be one of the first ones we will check on.”