Local Michiana company helping with clean-up efforts after hurricane Ida

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. –  The owner of a local roofing company in South bend is currently in New Orleans to help families who've been affected by Hurricane Ida.

Kevin Sauer said he started helping families affected by natural disasters five years.

“We got licensed and workers comp, and this just turned into a winter thing for my guys. They look forward to it, takes a little break from everything, and get down and helps as many people as we can,” said Sauer, the owner of Bran Roofing.

 Hurricane Ida made landfall in New Orleans, leaving many people without power and damaging buildings and powerlines. Sauer drove to Louisiana Sunday evening to help with cleaning efforts. He’s been traveling to states across the country, helping families affected by natural disasters, such as hurricane Ida for years. He reached New Orleans Monday afternoon with a few of his employees. But, he's not the only one from Indiana, heading down to New Orleans. On Tuesday, Aug. 31 over 200 employees and contractors with Indiana Michigan Power are heading to Louisiana to help in restoration efforts after thousands lost power from the aftermath.

Sauer said he’ll stay in Louisiana for a week to set up and get houses lined up for winter work.

"A lot of these people, they come out here and they gauge people. We’re not here to make a killing, we’re here to make a little money and give the guys a paycheck over the winter something to do and no other way better to do it than working down here, helping out,” Sauer said.

Sauer is setting up a donation drop-off tent at the South Bend Motor Speedway on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Any monetary donations will be given to the red cross in New Orleans.