Cut Off woman receives home donated by Bayou Community Foundation built by Amish volunteers

Colin Campo, Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet

Eloise Vizier walked into her own home for the first time since Hurricane Ida.

"Oh, my God, this is truly, truly amazing," Vizier said, beginning to tear up.

This was the third home built on her property since her first one burned down Memorial Day 2002. She rebuilt, but when she returned after Hurricane Ida, it was gone.

Eloise Vizier sees the interior of her new home for the first time, January 18.
Eloise Vizier sees the interior of her new home for the first time, January 18.

Thursday, she got her own home again. The Bayou Community Foundation rallied volunteers to aid Vizier, and the Mennonite Disaster Service brought Amish volunteers from Lancaster, Penn., to rebuild.

Project Director Eli Stoltzfus led the crowd in a prayer and handed the keys to Vizier.

Eli Stoltzfus hands Eloise Vizier the keys to her new home Jan. 18. The home was donated to her through a collection of nonprofits and donations and was built by Amish volunteers from Lancaster, Penn.
Eli Stoltzfus hands Eloise Vizier the keys to her new home Jan. 18. The home was donated to her through a collection of nonprofits and donations and was built by Amish volunteers from Lancaster, Penn.

"I'm starting to feel drops," she said as it began to drizzle. "Those are tears from heaven."

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They finished the home in under three months. It is the first of 15 in Cut Off, and there are a total of 25 planned for Lafourche.

Eloise Vizier hugs Katie King during the donation of a new home to Vizier on Jan. 18. Vizier's home was destroyed by Hurricane Ida.
Eloise Vizier hugs Katie King during the donation of a new home to Vizier on Jan. 18. Vizier's home was destroyed by Hurricane Ida.

The house has three bedrooms, is fortified for up to 160 mph winds, and it is above FEMA's base flood elevation, according to Executive Director of the Bayou Community Foundation Jennifer Armand. Home owners contribute any remaining FEMA or insurance money toward the rebuild, she said.

Twenty-seven houses already have been completed in Terrebonne, and more than 300 repaired, with 150 more still to repair by May.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Amish volunteers build donated home for Cut Off woman

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