Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré cuts the ribbon of the new American Red Cross building on Canal Street on Thursday. The building was dedicated to Robert W. Merrick, to the right of the general, previous chairman of Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the Red Cross. (Kenneth Hawkins/NYT Institute)

After nearly four years of being displaced because of Hurricane Katrina, the Southeast Louisiana chapter of the Red Cross has returned home.

The agency’s Canal Street building, which had approximately five feet of water inside after the storm, was evacuated on Aug. 28, 2005, and the chapter was forced to relocate to the Northshore region office.

“Rebuilding the building was not a priority, it was more important to help the community heal,” said Kay Wilkins, chief executive officer for the chapter.

In January 2007, the chapter started focusing on renovating its building. Wilkins said the process involved much of the same red tape that residents had to go through in dealing with banks, insurers, and other entities involved in recovery. After nearly four years and approximately $2 million in renovations, the building is open for business once again.

On Thursday, with approximately 70 people in attendance, the chapter, which is a partner with the United Way, held a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony.  The building is named for Robert W. Merrick, former chairman of Southeast Louisiana chapter, who Wilkins called the organization’s “heart and soul.”

Susan Hudlow, interim director of financial development, said the biggest improvement since the closing is that the chapter and the community have realized the importance of emergency preparedness. Wilkins estimates that the chapter responds to an emergency every 15 hours.

One of the agency’s roles is helping service members who are overseas and in crisis get in touch with their loved ones, as the Red Cross is the official communication link between armed forces and their families.

One retired serviceman, Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré said he was happy to help. Honoré led the joint task force that coordinated military relief efforts in the wake of Katrina’s devastation.

“I served in the armed forces for 37 years, after being in uniform for so long,” he said.   ”I wanted to do something to help the people.”

Hudlow said that the chapter is also more mindful of other communities that may have special needs during an emergency, such as those with limited transportation or with residents who speak English as a second language.

With hurricane season beginning June 1, the chapter is preparing its staff and planning training drills that include mock emergencies.

“We can’t stop weather, but we can prepare the community,” said Jerry DeFrancisco, president of humanitarian services for the national Red Cross.

The downtown facility features an emergency preparedness center, with an emergency line operated 24 hours a day, in addition to conference rooms for their partners. It is also equipped with  a radio room and a satellite-linked communications vehicle that was donated by the General Motors Foundation.

Julia Lewis, an Uptown resident, said she was helped by the chapter and decided to become a volunteer in January.

“The Red Cross gave me $365 and when I came back, they were giving out food to people in the community,” she said. “So the very least I could do is give my time.”

Honoré said the re-opening is a step in the right direction for the city.

“It should not go unnoticed what is going on in this city today,” Honoré said. “It’s another mark toward recovery.”