By day a Regions Bank branch manager, Nicole Elmore spent the weekend in a small boat, navigating the flooding in South Louisiana in her role as Sergeant Deputy of the Baton Rouge Constable’s Office.
“We got in the boat around 1 p.m. Saturday and spent all night and the next day on the boat answering calls,” said Elmore, who works as a deputy part-time. “We’d get a 911 call with an address, then we’d head straight there. Usually, people were already on the roof. And if they weren’t on the roof, we’d cut holes in the roof to get people out. We drove the boat into hotels to rescue people from balconies, too. We were luckier than most. The currents were strong and capsized other boats.”
A week of intermittent rain left East Baton Rouge soaked. But the landscape physically changed Friday, when another heavy band of storm clouds descended. This time, there was no reprieve.
Friends called, telling a similar story: Their backyard was becoming a quagmire. Twenty minutes later, before they could pack the basics and get out, the water had risen rapidly, to the top of the car, leaving no escape. Roads were under water. Even the Denham Springs Police Department, unable to access its own headquarters because of floodwaters, set up a makeshift base in a reasonably unaffected Walgreens parking lot on a slight rise.
Like so many businesses and homes in the region, her Regions Bank office, located just east of Baton Rouge, was flooded and inaccessible.
“This was so unexpected,” said Elmore. “The rains came and never stopped. People didn’t have time to react. Right now, I’m just concerned for the community and even my staff – so many lost so much.”
In response to the unprecedented flooding, Regions Bank will donate $25,000 to the American National Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
“We’ve seen pictures of floodwaters rising to record levels, and many of our associates and their families are coping with severe damage to their homes. South Louisiana faces a long recovery ahead, and we’re here to help as the restoration process begins,” said Grayson Hall, Chairman, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. “We also invite others to join us by making a donation to the American National Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at their local branch to help these communities recover.”
Regions will accept financial donations for the American National Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at all Regions branch locations throughout the South, Midwest and Texas. Customers and concerned individuals can visit any Regions branch location to make a donation; simply ask for the American National Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund account.
Regions is also offering a variety of financial services to help people in South Louisiana as flood recovery gets underway. Special offers include:
- Unsecured personal lines of credit to help with flood recovery
- Penalty-free withdrawals from CDs
- Personal and business loan payment deferrals
- A dedicated team to assist customers who have difficulties making payments on loans, lines of credit or credit cards
- Special discounts available for new business term loans
“Right now, there’s nothing more important than helping our friends and neighbors recover from these devastating floods,” said Danny Montelaro, Area President for Regions Bank in South Louisiana. “We’ve seen first-hand the impact of these floods, and we stand with our communities as we work to recover together.”
Customers, individuals and business owners can also access the Regions Disaster Resource Center housed on regions.com to learn how Regions can assist individuals and businesses that face financial challenges. The Disaster Resource Center provides a clearinghouse of information and tools, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Resources include important contact information, articles, a financial checklist, details on Regions’ assistance programs, and links to relevant outside agencies and organizations.
Further information can be obtained by visiting a local Regions branch or calling 1-800-REGIONS.
Regions is also offering help to its associates impacted by the flooding. The Regions Associate Assistance Fund provides financial assistance above-and-beyond what normal benefits allow to associates during temporary times of personal hardship such as this disaster. Regions associates can make a donation to the Regions Associate Assistance Fund at any Regions Bank office.