Sulphur, LA – As a storm rolled into the downtown area, a local business owner found herself in a life-threatening situation. Raina’s Sports Lounge owner Raina Valkoun was hosting her regular customers on a typical Saturday night when suddenly the walls of her bar began to collapse. With over a dozen people trapped inside, Valkoun was buried under five feet of debris, leaving her and her customers uncertain of their fate.
It took 45 minutes for first responders to arrive and rescue everyone from the rubble. One longtime friend and customer did not make it out alive, leaving Valkoun devastated by the loss of both her friend and business. Despite the trauma, she was grateful to still be alive and witness others who had survived the storm.
Raina expressed her gratitude to the first responders who risked their lives to save hers and the lives of her customers. She also thanked her community for their support during this difficult time. The impact of the storm had left many in Sulphur feeling vulnerable and fearful.
The incident has left state officials with concerns about building safety standards in the downtown area. Officials are now conducting an investigation into what caused the building to collapse so quickly. It is hoped that this investigation will lead to improvements in building codes and construction practices that will prevent future incidents like this from happening again.
Despite everything that has happened, Valkoun remains committed to rebuilding Raina’s Sports Lounge and continuing to serve her community in whatever way she can.
