‘Cajun Navy’ headed to Texas to help hurricane victims

By EMS1 Staff

HOUSTON — A group of good Samaritans from Louisiana is taking watercraft to Houston to help those stranded in the unprecedented flooding.

USA Today reported that the Cajun Navy, which was formed 12 years ago after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and has already saved thousands of people, is now helping to rescue Texans.

“There’s no telling how many are already over there,” member Joey Hains said. “Basically everybody that’s wanting to go help out” is going or has already arrived, he said.

The Cajun Navy consists of people with hunting boats, airboats and kayaks. Although a state lawmaker tried to require permit fees and training, an actual census of the group has not been taken.

“The reality of the Cajun Navy is everybody out here with a boat that isn’t devastated gets out and helps others,” member Clyde Cain said.

Hains said that based on their communications, there are about 100 members in Houston helping with the disaster.

Hains also said that they remember the kindness Houston showed Louisiana after Katrina, and he and the other members of the Cajun Navy just want to do the same thing. “We’re just more than willing to go and help wherever we can.”