The Louisiana Credit Union League increased their estimate ofthe number of credit union employees affected by the historicflooding in their state. League officials said Wednesday the homesof up to 300 credit union employees have been damaged by the worstfloods ever recorded in Louisiana.

The number of credit union employees affected by the floodingwas 200 when we spoke with league officials on Tuesday.

“The 200 figure is a preliminary one and it is probably a lowfigure,” Connie Major, EVP/CFO for the Louisiana league, said. “Credit unions are still trying to gettheir arms around how many of their employees have been affected.There are a couple of credit unions that we still have not receiveda list from on the number of employees affected and whether theirhomes have been damaged by the flood.”

From Aug. 8 to Aug. 14, more than 2.5 feet of rain deluged partsof the state in what the American Red Cross called the worst U.S.disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. About 13 people died inthe flood and more than 60,000 homes were damaged, according tonational media reports.

During the first few days of the natural disaster, some creditunion employees were housed in board rooms because they had noplace to go.

“They were sheltering some employees through the disaster time,but now that shelters have opened up some employees may have gonethere, while some employees may have been able to get with familymembers now that the water has receded in most of the places,”Major said.

Five credit unions – the $280 million Baton Rouge Telco FederalCredit Union, the $47.8 million BRECO Federal Credit Union, the$343 million EFCU Financial, the $399 million Jefferson FinancialCredit Union and the $197 million Lafayette Schools Credit Union– still had seven branches closed on Tuesday,according to the Louisiana league.

“You can drive down the highways of Baton Rouge and surroundingparishes and it looks normal, but behind the scenes in theneighborhoods it is anything but normal,” Major said.

Over the weekend, she helped clean up a cousin’s house.

“We saw their neighborhood and it’s just devastating,” Majorsaid. “When you drive in you can hardly make it through because ofall of the stuff that is piled on either side of the roads.”

President Barack Obama who toured the flood ravaged areas inLouisiana Tuesday said more than 100,000 people have applied forfederal aid and more than $120 million has been approved. Manypeople did not have flood insurance, Reuters reported.

How much will be needed to help residents has not beendetermined and Congress may have to approve more aid, Obama said,according to Reuters.

The National Credit Union Foundation reported Monday that morethan $53,000 has been raised so far to help flood victims.

In addition, the Louisiana league launched a social media challenge campaign Friday to raise funds.Several credit unions and other organizations have contributedthousands of dollars since the social media initative began.

To participate in the Louisiana CU Strong Challenge, creditunions throughout the state and nationally are welcome to post avideo or photo along with their official challenge using thehashtag #LACUStrong. They should make sure to email the video/phototo Lacey Hyer, [email protected], the Louisiana league’svice president of communications and public relations, along withthe main contact for the challenge.

Leagues, CUSOs, vendors and other credit union supporters arealso welcome to participate in the social media challenge.

Anyone can challenge a specific credit union or just make ageneral call out. Every credit union that makes a donation willreceive signs for their branches letting their members know thatthey've donated to the Louisiana CU Foundation to help floodvictims.

The credit union that makes the largest donation in each assetcategory among Louisiana credit unions will be awarded a free lunchhosted by the league, along with bragging rights. Louisiana creditunions that donate more than $1,000 will receive a freeregistration for a league webinar of their choice. In addition,Louisiana credit unions that donate to the foundation through thechallenge will receive a special sweet treat delivered by a leagueteam member, and all donors will receive recognition in leaguepublications.