It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their lives, homes, and businesses to the ongoing flooding in Louisiana. Financial, emotional and health factors made every victim’s recovery story different and each factor created unique problems for those individuals and their families.

But it’s heartwarming to see people united and helping. It feels like faith in humanity has been restored.

One resident, Naketa Woods, was deep into gutting her house in a Zachary subdivision Tuesday when she received a surprise visit from the president and a number of high-level government officials. Her home took on at least three feet of water, possibly more, and she’s been staying with relatives while she rebuilds.

The president, celebrities, and organizations all stand together to help and that is more than you think. Moral support is strong motivation, a person whom has lost everything, can receive. To see that people care for your pain and they get involved in your recovery means a lot for someone who doesn’t have much right now.

The president says it’s not just about property damage. He says it’s also about “people’s roots.”

Obama says he wants Louisianans to know they’re not alone in recovering from the flood, even after the news cameras leave. He says the government will keep helping until people are back in their homes and their lives are rebuilt.

More than 115,000 people across south Louisiana have signed up for federal disaster assistance after the catastrophic flooding.

State officials say $20 million in FEMA homeowner assistance had been distributed as of Tuesday.

Federal and Louisiana authorities say more than 26,000 people have filed flood insurance claims for flooding damage.

The state is urging people to help those with damage muck out their homes. Volunteers can register at https://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov./

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening additional disaster recovery centers in the Baton Rouge area.

New centers opened Tuesday in Gonzales, Baton Rouge and Zachary to help Louisiana flood survivors. The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, FEMA, the Small Business Administration, volunteer groups and other agencies are at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters.

So far, more than 106,000 people have registered for federal disaster aid.

A lot of people need help but a lot of people are helping so this unwritten social contract is fully executed. After all, humans are the only ones who can help humans, standing by each other.

Thank you all for your support, we have a long way to go but standing together it’s the most important part of the recovery.

We’ve got your back, Baton Rouge, starting over begins with us, it begins now.