The recent devastation in parts of Southwest Mississippi and Louisiana would be unimaginable if not for previous disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

This part of the nation unfortunately knows too well how destructive water can be. Heavy rain sent at least six rivers to record levels in Louisiana, according to media reports. This includes the Amite River, which topped its previous record by over 6 feet in Magnolia, and by over 4 feet in Denham Springs.

Mike Steele, communications director for the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said more than 1,000 homes have been flooded in Baton Rouge, and that number that is expected to climb. In Livingston, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded, along with 200 in St. Helena Parish, and 500 or more in Tangipahoa Parish.

The need is obviously great and Lincoln County residents are pitching in to help their neighbors.  Macedonia Baptist Church, a dispatcher at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Loyal Order of Moose 1968 and others collected clothing, food, supplies and bedding for families displaced because of the flooding in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs and surrounding areas. Some are still accepting donations.

• Macedonia Baptist Church is accepting items until 5 p.m. today. They’ll be taking the items to Louisiana Thursday morning. The church is located at 1230 Macedonia Road NW.

• Donations can be dropped off at the Brookhaven Moose Family Center, 1229 Calcote Loop NE. They don’t have a cutoff planned at this point. For information about the Moose Lodge recovery efforts, call 601-672-3874.

• Jessica Kyzar, a dispatcher at LCSO, collected items at several locations through noon today. They’re planning to take a trailer filled with supplies to Louisiana this afternoon.

We’re grateful to those who organized these efforts and volunteered to help them. Lincoln Countians are always quick to respond to those in need and this week is another example of that.