In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods across the Southeast, the Cajun Navy 2016, a Louisiana-based disaster relief group, found themselves on a life-changing mission. On October 12, the group responded to a request for a welfare check on a 104-year-old woman, affectionately known as “Jo Jane,” living in the remote North Carolina mountains, Fox News reports.
Jo Jane, despite her age, was in good health, living with her son. However, she had a wound on her leg that required immediate care to avoid infection.
“We always encourage people to call 911 first,” explained Jon Bridgers, founder and CEO of Cajun Navy 2016, “But if they can’t get help, or there’s no response, they can reach out to us.”
Jo Jane’s daughter had reached out to the group, concerned about her mother’s well-being.
The day before receiving Jo Jane’s daughter’s message, the Cajun Navy had been clearing roads in the area, making their journey to her home easier than it would have been otherwise.
“We cleared stuff, and the next day, we got Jo Jane’s message,” Bridgers shared, “It was top priority. We dropped everything and sent a crew up there.”
Upon reaching Jo Jane, the volunteers were struck by her remarkable spirit. Bridgers described a poignant moment:
“She asked, ‘Who are y’all?’ and I explained we were the Cajun Navy and were there to check on her. Then she asked who sent us. We’re a faith-based group, so we told her, ‘Well, Jesus asked us to come up here and check on you.'”
To their surprise, Jo Jane then asked:
“Can you ask him a question for me? I want you to ask why he hasn’t taken me home yet. I’ve been praying and praying for him to take me home, and he hasn’t done it.”
The Cajun Navy provided Jo Jane with medical assistance, forging an unbreakable bond with her. Since that encounter, the group has been sharing updates on their Facebook page, showing Jo Jane opening letters from fans across the country, expressing her immense gratitude for the unexpected help.
“You know, God sent somebody all the way from wherever, Louisiana or wherever, up here to help me heal this leg,” Jo Jane says in one video. “Now, you know God is good.”
Hurricane Helene, described by Bridgers as a “once-in-a-thousand-year” event, has left a trail of devastation in the Southeast, with over 200 fatalities.
