UPDATE: Clyde Cain, the man who told CNN that rescuers with the Cajun Navy were the target of looters and had shots fired at them, is not affiliated with the Cajun Navy 2016. The Louisiana Cajun Navy is a different group. More info here.
HOUSTON — A rescuer for the famed Louisiana Cajun Navy says looters tried to steal their boats and fired shots at them while they were trying to save Houston residents from flooded homes.
Clyde Cain told CNN that a boat broke down, and while the crew sought shelter in a delivery truck, people tried to steal the inoperable boat.
“They’re making it difficult for us to rescue them,” he said. “You have people rushing the boat. Everyone wants to get in at the same time. They’re panicking. Water is rising.”
The Cajun Navy initially made the announcement in a Facebook post Monday afternoon, but the post was later removed.
Cain later went live on the Cajun Navy Facebook page to clarify what’s happening.
“There’s looters out here, as in any time you have a natural disaster or catastrophe,” Cain said. “We’re OK.”
Because of the hostile responses, the Cajun Navy has been forced to halt some rescue attempts, Cain said.
The Cajun Navy formed a year ago amid historic, devastating floods in the Baton Rouge and Acadiana areas.
It’s a group of men and women who own boats and go out into flooded areas to help stranded people and perform other disaster relief services.
They mobilized over the weekend as Houston and surrounding areas began to experience devastating floods.
Earlier Monday, WGNO spoke with Houston resident Tasha Seeb, who used to live in New Orleans.
She’s been running a Cajun Navy dispatch center from her Houston home ever since she had to swim home Saturday night. Here’s what she had to say about the heroic rescues:
