To the nearly one million people in Louisiana without power tonight. To the countless souls in Mississippi, whose lives are going underwater. To all on the Gulf Coast, submerged in rainfall and storm surge from Hurricane Ida.
To families trapped in homes, who will be surviving on prayers, spit baths, snack crackers, and adrenaline fumes for the next several days.
To young parents who will be spending tonight reassuring anxious children that there is nothing to fear, even though they doubt their own words.
To anyone living in a flood zone.
To all whose entire lives were contained in a mobile home.
To the young man, Eric, who emailed me from Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, who is still trying to reach his sister, Sharon, but hasn’t been able to contact her.
To the hordes of families in New Orleans shotgun homes, who never wanted to imagine that something like this might happen a second time.
To anyone living in the middle of a tornado-affected region within the Southeast, who is sheltering in a walk-in closet or a pantry right now, scrolling their phone to keep from going into shock.
And especially to the children. To all children of the Bayou State, the Magnolia State, the Camellia State, and the Sunshine State, who have been awake tonight, huddled in bathtubs alongside their sweaty siblings while 150-mph winds threatened to rip their world apart.
To the scared toddlers who are reading Golden Books, playing board games, or watching iPad movies to keep from freaking out.
To the souls in Grand Isle, Louisiana, who need rescue and don’t have phones. To people in Jefferson Parish, whose cars are flooded, overturned, crushed, demolished, or lie beneath 100-year-old pines.
To the elderly, the shut-ins, and those with mobility problems, who have been watching the Weather Channel for 24 hours with clammy hands until, boom, their world suddenly went black.
To my friend, Anderson, who emailed from south Louisiana, earlier today, who said his neighbor’s rooftop just disappeared. “It was just gone,” he explained.
And to the woman who lives in a singlewide that “felt like it was going to get up and start flying.”
To the lady who evacuated with her kids and watched as power lines snapped and dumpsters rolled across the highway like beach balls. She pulled over in a random neighborhood and took shelter with perfect strangers in a garage.
To Razel, who messaged me from a public shelter. He has spent hours listening to a few young immigrants in the shelter pray in their own tongues. One woman prayed the rosary in Spanish, another kid chanted in Russian.
To all sheriff’s departments within the coastal corridor of Louisiana’s 10 parishes. To the deputies who will work marathon shifts, surviving on cheap coffee and goodwill.
To people stuck in elevators when the power went out.
To all the critical patients lying in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Panhandle emergency rooms when Ida made landfall. To patients with COVID who were desperately trying to breathe while a Category 4 tried to remove the hospital ceiling.
And to the doctors, nurses, techs, medical staff, custodial workers, and hospital employees who did not even consider evacuating because this is simply not in a hero’s nature.
To the thousands of lineworkers who are reading this from the front seats of their idling utility vehicles, sitting in traffic on I-55, I-12, I-20, I-59, I-10, I-65, on their way to help restore power. To all electrical workers coming from the Midwest, the West, the East Coast, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast to visit ground zero.
To the EMTs, ambulance drivers, police officers, first responders, fire and rescue workers, and public works employees.
To the construction men, metal workers, ironworkers, and the millions of craftsmen who will be rebuilding ruins for the next following days, weeks, months, and years.
To Jasmine, the 9-year-old daughter of an evacuee who had a panic attack in the back seat of her mother’s car when a live oak fell across the highway.
To the frightened Miss Anne, an 74-year-old woman with dementia, who shelters with neighbors right now because her daughter and full-time caregiver is sick in ICU.
And to all the helpers.
To the selfless men and women with chainsaws, heavy equipment, food wagons, bass boats, dually trucks, dual-axel flatbeds, and earth movers. To the humble volunteer cooks, volunteer nurses, and out-of-town angels who—as I write this—are lacing up their boots and preparing to leave their homes and travel into Ida’s devastation to play the roles of Samaritans.
To anyone with an injured loved one. To all who are scared witless right now. To the 2.6 million residents who have spent this nightmarish evening under a hurricane warning.
To you, whoever you are, reading these words on the dim light of your dying phone as you sit amidst hell, waiting for your power to come back on.
God bless you.
73 comments
Joan Moore - August 30, 2021 7:28 am
Praying for all. Thank you for giving us all that has been revealed to you, I ask the Lord calm the storms in all of our lives.
Dawnie B - August 30, 2021 7:33 am
God bless you and keep you. May He give you comfort and peace. ❤🙏✝️🙏
Meredith Smith - August 30, 2021 8:22 am
I am thinking of all of you from the Northeast. May God keep you safe and in his care. ✝️🙏🏼❤️
Norma Den🇿🇦 - August 30, 2021 8:29 am
Oh Wow. Living in South Africa and having made a firm decision not to watch or read news bulletins anymore, it’s too upsetting, dire warnings of doomsday and agitates my husband with Alzheimer’s, I honestly was not aware of what’s happening over there. It must be one of the most terrifying things to go through. Thoughts and prayers for all, evacuees, workers, medical personnel, the sick and elderly and especially terrified youngsters. May God protect you, may He provide angels to attend to all your needs and fears and may this bring people together in unity and love.
Leigh Amiot - August 30, 2021 8:40 am
Amen.
Deborah Blount - August 30, 2021 8:46 am
Amen
Paul McCutchen - August 30, 2021 9:27 am
I kept up with my friends in Louisiana and Mississippi till things got tough. I am hoping to hear from them again today. My prayers are with them.
MermaidGrammy - August 30, 2021 9:35 am
Your words are more helpful than you can imagine. Bless you, Sean
Jack - August 30, 2021 9:54 am
Amen, god be with you.
Keith Turk - August 30, 2021 10:15 am
“Convoy of hope” propositioned 19 big rigs full of help and supplies. They will be there. Check them out
Christine - August 31, 2021 12:02 am
Yes, they show always show up♥️
Lisa Bowman - August 30, 2021 10:20 am
Amen! God bless and keep every one!!!
Debbie g - August 30, 2021 10:35 am
Amen.
chris - August 30, 2021 10:43 am
praying for all…thank you Lord it is in your hands
Sherry - August 30, 2021 11:20 am
Prayers appreciated from Biloxi.
Beth AnnChiles - August 30, 2021 11:38 am
Prayers for all.
countrylifegal - August 30, 2021 11:50 am
Amen!!
Dianne DeVore - August 30, 2021 11:57 am
Thank you, Sean, for recognizing all of these heroes for they are truly heroes and survivors. To quote Scarlet O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day.” Hopefully a better day for all of these people.
beachdreamer1 - August 30, 2021 12:02 pm
You covered it all. Keeping each one in prayers. God bless them❤️
Donna K. Taylor - August 30, 2021 12:03 pm
And to all the dogs and other animals left behind and alone-
Kathy - August 30, 2021 12:23 pm
Yes, prayers for all of them. To the inmates at Angola Prison,, thinking no one cares.. I do. And the animals, sqeezing close to their humans. Nobody likes this.
Jan - August 30, 2021 12:25 pm
Amen and God bless them all!
Karen - August 30, 2021 12:25 pm
Amen. Thank you Sean.
Debbie - August 30, 2021 12:31 pm
Amen
Donald Snyder - August 30, 2021 12:37 pm
Amen
Dean - August 30, 2021 12:42 pm
Amen
Suzi - August 30, 2021 12:56 pm
Prayers for all🙏🏻
Sherry Y. - August 30, 2021 1:08 pm
Requesting prayers in Biloxi. Thank you.
Ruth Mitchell - August 30, 2021 1:10 pm
Amen and Amen! ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Shelton A. - August 30, 2021 1:14 pm
God bless all those whose lives have been uprooted by Ida. May God give you comfort, peace, strength, and, most of all, the help each of you needs. God be with you all.
Helen De Prima - August 30, 2021 1:18 pm
Prayers for all those in harm’s way and for their rescuers!
Sandra - August 30, 2021 1:25 pm
Prayers for everyone in Ida’s path. I have a granddaughter in Louisiana. God please keep them safe. ♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Melanie - August 30, 2021 1:33 pm
Amen 🙏🏻
Bill Harris - August 30, 2021 1:44 pm
Thank you Sean. Praying for all those affected. God bless and keep them.
Jody - August 30, 2021 1:51 pm
Amen
Ruth KLARNER - August 30, 2021 1:54 pm
Thank you Sean
Molly - August 30, 2021 1:56 pm
Amen!!
bj - August 30, 2021 1:57 pm
Amen!
Sheila G - August 30, 2021 2:06 pm
Amen. And prayers for Biloxi, because Miss Sherry Y asked.
Sue Adams - August 30, 2021 2:09 pm
AMEN
Karen Snyder - August 30, 2021 2:10 pm
Amen. 🙏🏻
Maggie Priestaf - August 30, 2021 2:15 pm
Amen & amen…
John e hunter - August 30, 2021 2:18 pm
And may God Bless You Sean for this heart touching column!!!
Donna from Iowa - August 30, 2021 2:25 pm
Thanks for adding some normalcy with your wonderful tribute to all those affected!
Dee Jordan - August 30, 2021 2:34 pm
I heard all cell service is down, all phones down, power off, and a full blackout for communication at this point. Bless them all in their time of need.
Gayle Wilson - August 30, 2021 2:44 pm
Amen and amen.
Pat Deas - August 30, 2021 2:51 pm
Amen!
Eliza Bragg - August 30, 2021 3:00 pm
Thank you, Sean! And God bless all who are trying to survive Hurricane Ida!💜
Christina - August 30, 2021 3:09 pm
Yes we lift each of you up! Lord have mercy!!
Robyn - August 30, 2021 3:11 pm
Powerful column today…thank you Sean
Susie Shultz - August 30, 2021 3:27 pm
All of our tomorrows WONT be better days….until we get SERIOUS about addressing climate change responsible for these devasting weather patterns. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature…….and SHE is in the driver’s seat RIGHT NOW, at this point, on this planet……and SHE’s REALLY pissed off…….
Bex - August 30, 2021 3:54 pm
Thank you, Sean and AMEN! 🙏🏻
Robert L Chiles - August 30, 2021 4:19 pm
Hope you and Jamie and the pups are OK
Peggy - August 30, 2021 4:50 pm
I am sure this oversimplifies things a great deal, but I always wonder, when people have a good deal of warning, why don’t they go inland somewhere for a few days? I imagine money is a big factor, yet I’ll bet residents would welcome them into homes if asked. I remember on 9/11 the folks in Gander, New Found Land did so, and they had no warning at all. (You can find the story online if you don’t know it.) After writing this though, I do hold these hurricane-ravaged up in prayer. What a horrible, horrible event.
Gordon - August 30, 2021 4:52 pm
Beautiful, heartwarming words, Sean. God be with all those affected and those who will be affected. God bless them all.
Linda Moon - August 30, 2021 5:22 pm
And God bless you, Sean, for your thoughtful and compassionate words to all the people…all the “you”s who are reading these words. All is well with Mary’s soul…there at the greatest bay on Earth that she loved so much. Bless you, too, Jamie, as you continue to miss your mother’s presence. Love, “Uma”.
throughmyeyesusa - August 30, 2021 5:59 pm
Prayers up for all concerned, victims and heroes; the hurt, the scared, the dispossessed.
I wish this were as simple as “we have to get serious about climate change”. Unfortunately, our impact is minimal, (& our efforts already significant). It is countries such as China & India that contribute the most. Too bad ‘we’ have so devastated our standing in the world in our Afghanistan fumble that we no longer have the international standing to take a leadership position on that, or any other, issue.
Prayers also for our thirteen lost heroes and those Americans & allies still stranded, too likely to be abandoned, behind enemy lines.
Karla Meier - August 30, 2021 6:21 pm
WE in the Midwest are praying for all of you and getting ready to send supplies and manpower as soon as we get the word to go!! God keep your arms of protection around those in the south dealing with the aftermath of Ida!! Bring the angels on earth to their aid!! AMEN
Susie Shultz - August 30, 2021 6:26 pm
Gee, I wonder what happened to my comment addressing climate change affecting these devastating storms?? Too bad some people see it as a political statement…..instead of it being a call to action to save our planet, our lives, our descendants…….a decent environment for THEM. Kinda as ridiculous as people treating Covid as a political issue, instead of what it truly is…..a health issue. So sad.
David S Doom - August 30, 2021 7:43 pm
Amen
MAM - August 30, 2021 8:08 pm
Susie Shultz, your comments ARE political. Only God is in control of the climate and the weather, as well as the health issues. NOT humans, except those who are in the hands of Satan. We need to be praying for all those impacted by Ida, as well as those who, evidently, like Susie, who do NOT believe in God. May I respectfully say that Susie reading Sean Dietrich may be her salvation. As long as she can stay away from politics. Sean is NEVER political. Thank You, Sean, for reminding us of everything who needs praying for.
Susie Shultz - August 30, 2021 9:50 pm
Mam, to use your own words, I guess your god directed the storm toward those people in the south with THAT weather last night!! And now you want him to “bless” them again?! Do you hear yourself? It’s no wonder not all of us can swallow the mass delusion. At least Sean doesn’t PUSH god on anyone, like you do. Freedom of religion includes freedom FROM religion.
Patricia Gibson - August 30, 2021 10:47 pm
God bless them all for sure🙏🙏
Babette Authement - August 31, 2021 1:15 pm
YOU are the Greatest! I read today’s post as I am preparing to search Baldwin County AL for a generator, gas cans and tarps for family and friends in the Bourg/Chauvin, LA area.
Ingrid B Whigham - August 31, 2021 9:08 pm
Amen.
Lance Lafargue - September 1, 2021 2:59 pm
Thanks Sean, for some calm after the storm.. Praying peace for y’all too as you recover from your own storm over the last several weeks ❤️Lance Lafargue – Old Metairie
Ann Bouchet - September 2, 2021 4:56 am
GOD BLESS YOU, SEAN……Lewis Grizzard would be incredibly proud of you.
Rhonda - September 2, 2021 3:54 pm
I like this one
CHARALEEN WRIGHT - September 3, 2021 2:41 pm
❤
Susie Shultz - September 4, 2021 4:54 pm
Pray to god all you want, people, but for all our sakes, row TOWARD shore. DO SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. If you believe god gave you a brain, start using it, instead of checking it at the door when you enter a church. Even I am able to glean something worthwhile from a great sermon that can inspire, but it IS time to get real and SEE FOR OURSELVES that the climate change patterns (and I’m not talking about the “weather”……there IS a difference) are devasting the healthy balancing act of the ecosystems on our Earth. BTW, my husband and I have no children of our own. So why do I care? It’s your children and grandchildren I’m worried about.
Susie Shultz - September 4, 2021 4:59 pm
In my last post, that word was supposed to be “devastating”, not “devasting”. I even proof-read it and still missed it. LOL
Susan Patterson - September 8, 2021 2:43 am
Also… you know the end of the world is near when the Waffle House shuts down. You also know things are going to get better when less than 48 hours after a Cat 5 they reopen to serve first responders.
Susie Shultz - September 12, 2021 11:26 pm
Susan Patterson, you are right!! Feeding our first responders is only the right thing to do!! Thanks goodness for them, huh!! “Angels.” on Earth, they are!