By PAUL KEDINGER

Managing Editor

Following a review of the remaining active tornado disaster cases, members of the Rayne Long-Term Disaster Relief Coalition last week asked for assessments of five additional cases to determine if they are eligible for assistance.

Trahan and Tommy

Bergeron, project director with Louisiana UMC Disaster Response, projected they could complete their assessments of five new cases in time for the Coalition’s next meeting on Jan. 24, 2012.

Case Manager Ronda Trahan reported 46 families of the 48 open cases she handled are currently back in their homes following the March 5 tornado.

Of the two remaining cases, one involves a trailer which was demolished and a house which was racked and shifted on its foundation and its roof was destroyed.

Melanie Beauchamp, with UMC Disaster Response indicated a large volunteer team was willing to come in February and build a small house to replace the destroyed trailer, if the Coalition and donors could provide the building materials.

The Coalition members voted to contribute $7,500 for building materials.

Regarding the fate of the house shifted on its foundation, Coalition members decided to take no action now pending a request for a grant from a major national retail company. Cost of restoring the house was estimated in excess of $25,000.

According to assessments made shortly after the tornado struck, it was determined a total of 75 houses had been affected.

Before adjourning, Brian Mouton reported the 21st Century A&O Club named Case Manager Ronda Trahan as this year’s recipient of the Ronald Duplichain Community Award for Outstanding Service at the 15th Annual Beautillion on Nov. 26.