Butte La Rose couple’s camper damaged by tree
Residents in Butte La Rose believe they have been overlooked when it comes to checking the damage from the weather.
BUTTE LA ROSE, La. (KLFY) – Residents in Butte La Rose believe they have been overlooked when it comes to checking the damage from the weather.
Kenny and Norma Williams lived in their camper at Cajun Heritage RV Park. Norma said they were watching the weather on Monday and knew it was going to be bad. Therefore, taking action her husband Kenny went and opened the pavilion. She said they had eight to ten people with them.
“I rode around and knocked on camper doors, getting people to go to the pavilion with us, and the next thing you know, stuff's flying everywhere,” she said. “Just praying the roof stayed on the pavilion and everybody was safe because we did have a few people who did not get a chance to get out of their campers; worried about them, wondering if they were okay and thanked the dear Lord that everybody here was okay.”
Unfortunately, the Williams’ camper’s kitchen and, dining room were damaged by a tree falling on it. "I had my cry last night and got it over with and just go forward. It's all we can do. It can all be replaced. I'm just thankful that everybody here in the campground is safe,” said Norma.
Shayne Hollier, owner of the Cajun Heritage RV Park, says that they were home barbecuing at the house. He said the weather was beautiful until a notification from his phone and a call from his brother informed him the weather's bad conditions were on the way. “If it would have happened on a weekend we would have had 5 to 700 people here. We had 240 campers and eight cabins. It could have been bad. A lot of people could have gotten hurt. During the week it is pretty quiet. During the weekend it turns into a city over here.”
Hollier said there were no injuries. All of the major structures are fine. They just had a “disaster with trees. We probably have 70 trees down.”
He adds they have been getting help from friends who all volunteer to help. “I have four skid steers working right now and it's all the friends that are helping out. So thank God for friends,” He said. “We’re all safe. So it could have been a lot worse. I heard there was a fatality in Cecelia and we’re praying for their family, but thank God no one was hurt. We can replace all this stuff and we'll make it through this. We’re safe and this is all material stuff that can be fixed and just a big mess and we'll get through it.”
The owner said they were supposed to have an event this weekend. If the clean-up and electricity is not done in time they will have to cancel the event. The Williams family said the park offered they a cabin to stay in until further notice. They are waiting on their insurance to check on repair costs.