Citizens of Louisiana have done their state proud in their responses to the historic, widespread damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. The people of America have seen residents of a state often portrayed as last in almost everything become the biblical Good Samaritans.

“We’ve been there. We’re pretty good at this,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said near the Interstate 10 border between Texas and his home state.

When Texas was unable to rescue many of its stranded citizens, Louisiana first responders sprang into action. They included men and women from State Police, the National Guard, the Wildlife and Fisheries agency and local law enforcement agencies.

The Times-Picayune reported last Wednesday that the 40 agents and 40 boats with the wildlife and fisheries department sent to the Houston area had rescued 1,200 people and 126 pets over three days.

Edwards, who has provided excellent leadership during this monumental effort, talked about those rescues while he and first lady Donna Edwards were welcoming Texas evacuees to a state shelter in Alexandria.

“The fact of the matter is these folks in extreme Southeast Texas, they couldn’t get to them from the west side, so it was up to us to leave Calcasieu Parish and go to Orange and Port Arthur and other places to help these folks. Of course, we’re happy to do it,” Edwards said.

Evacuee Leonard Curtis, 61, said, “This is the first place I’ve been in two days that was so well put together. I’m grateful; I’m very pleased with Alexandria, La.”

The Cajun Navy from Acadiana that has earned a national reputation for its quick and effective rescue missions saw many area citizens join their ranks to help rescue thousands of Texans.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, of the state’s 5th Congressional District is spending the Labor Day weekend flying Harvey missions over Louisiana and Texas, according to the USA Today Network. Abraham, a major in the Air Force Auxiliary and a pilot with the U.S. Coast Guard, downplayed his role in the rescue effort.

“My job is the simplest,” he said. “I just make sure we take off and land safely and point us in the right direction. The (2) others monitor the camera… We’re looking for people, places and things, but people are our No. 1 priority.”

Rescue crews tell only part of the story. The city of Lake Charles and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury opened shelters that became midway points between here and well-equipped permanent state shelters in Alexandria and Shreveport.

The Advocate of Baton Rouge wrote about 10 men from Central Louisiana who prepared Cajun feasts for members of the Pasadena, Texas, Police Department and other first responders.

“We know how it feels, and we know the pressure these guys are under,” said Ryan Meador, a former Marine who made the trip. “We all went through this with the (Baton Rouge area) floods this exact same time last year. And if we hadn’t gotten help from the outside, we would have been in a bad situation.”

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said state residents who want to assist with relief efforts should find out what’s needed at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov. He said they would find a list of supplies requested by Texas and Southwest Louisiana shelters and a list of places where goods can be dropped off for delivery.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry warned residents about scams disguised as Harvey charities. He said they can go to his office’s website (www.agjefflandry.com) if they suspect fraud.

Charles Arcement, a native of St. Bernard Parish living in Texas, talked to The Advocate about the members of his family’s unusual experience after they became some of the 30,000 residents displaced by the hurricane. They took refuge in an unusual shelter — the Gallery Furniture store in Richmond, Texas.

The newspaper said the Arcements were among about 400 people a night “spreading out on sofas and Tempur-Pedics and munching on an array of gourmet meals donated by local businesses.”

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the store’s owner, said, “It’s the way I was raised. We were obligated to open our doors and welcome these people in, to give them a comfortable and safe place to recharge.”

Louisiana didn’t escape the devastation, particularly those living along the Texas border. Local first-responders didn’t forget them either.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office played a key role in rescue and peacekeeping efforts. The Lake Charles Police Department was also active. Its officers also used their free time to help local residents in the eastern part of the city clean up after their homes were flooded.

Don’t forget to thank members of the organizations we’ve mentioned here and volunteers who played some role in this rescue effort. They have demonstrated that Louisiana is filled with caring, proud and capable people who “love their neighbors and their own.”

Rescue workers from Texas and Louisiana have rescued thousands from their homes in both states.

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