Long Beach State legend Danielle Scott-Arruda digging out after Louisiana floods

For the first time since 1992, the United States women’s volleyball team competed in the Olympics earlier this month without Long Beach State product Danielle Scott-Arruda. Unfortunately for the 49er Hall of Famer and five-time Olympian, she wasn’t relaxing on a beach somewhere enjoying retirement — she was fighting to keep her 6-year-old daughter safe while the Louisiana floods took nearly all her earthly possessions.

When more than 30 inches of water fell in 15 hours on Aug. 13, Scott-Arruda was among thousands in Louisiana to see their homes severely damaged in the flooding.

“It was significant flooding; it was like a hurricane without the wind,” Scott-Arruda said. “It was very unexpected — my house ended up with five feet of water in it, even higher than that in the back storage room. I lost all my possessions, all my daughter’s possessions, my memorabilia, it’s all gone.”

The former volleyballer and Baton Rouge native managed to leave the area with her daughter before the flooding grew intense, unlike some of her neighbors who had to be rescued from the street. After the water subsided, she returned home to find that almost nothing was left. She has spent the last two weeks working with family to clear wreckage from the house so that it can be demolished and rebuilt.

“My mom passed a year ago and so we lost all of her things, all my daughter’s toys and dresses,” Scott-Arruda said. “It’s really hard. We do have insurance but it’s going to be months for the whole process.”

Fortunately for Scott-Arruda, a former teammate has stepped up to help. Long Beach State legend and multiple Olympian Tayyiba Haneef-Park has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for Scott-Arruda’s family to cover living expenses while the insurance process plays out.

“She’s been an instrumental part of the Long Beach program and USA volleyball, and she’s one of the most selfless and giving people I’ve ever met,” Haneef-Park said. “She will never come out and ask for anything, but I felt like somebody needed to step in on her behalf. We have a big family from Long Beach and USA volleyball, and I didn’t want her to feel like she was alone out there.”

The page has raised over $7,000 in four days, with former teammates and fans from Long Beach pouring in support.

“I don’t really know how to ask for help. It’s been very emotional,” Scott-Arruda said. “It’s different being on the receiving end. Everybody’s been really awesome in reaching out — fans, friends, teammates. It’s amazing to have that kind of support. We’re really starting over.”

With two exceptions: her Olympic silver medals from 2008 and 2012.

“I did claim those, thank God,” she said. “They were in a high, safe place.”

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