LAKE CHARLES — Recovery efforts continue as thousands in Louisiana are still without power following Hurricane Laura.
Hundreds lined up at the Walmart in Lake Charles where dozens of volunteers handed out food, water and household necessities.
"We were just passing by, and I saw the Salvation Army over there, and then as we pulled by, we saw another line over here, and we jumped in it," said Cody Lavergne, whose home in Moss Bluff was destroyed.
For people like Lavergne, meal distribution sites are what they're relying on as they figure out their next step.
"We're looking at hopefully maybe getting a hotel room at some point once a hotel opens up nearby that we can maybe go back and forth, shower, maybe sleep once in a while, that kind of thing," said Lavergne. "But, I mean, we have to stay at the house."
Some, like Kristi Frazier, are now living in their cars because they have no power and can't afford a generator.
"We just do the best that we can. If it rains, we stand out in the rain just to cool ourselves off," said Frazier. "A lot of common sense needs to be used and a lot of realization. You need to think ahead before you make any rash decisions. Think ahead."
Frazier says she's now surviving on instinct.
"Minute by minute, day by day. We're thankful to God for the World Central Kitchen to be feeding, providing water and ice when necessary," said Frazier. "Emergency response teams were here from everywhere."
Volunteers say they're not sure what's next, but they're going to go wherever they're needed.
"Really, personally, and I think for a lot of the [World Central Kitchen] team, you get to receive a lot of appreciation from the community, and that always helps keep us going," said Sam Bloch, Director of Emergency Response.
