more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines down and many without service so they can't call for help. 5,000 members of the national guard are deployed to help in the rescue and recovery efforts underway. the coast guard is also now on the ground. i'll be speaking with the man leading that mission in just a moment. i do, though, want to begin president biden today saying that the administration will do everything it can to help those affected by the storm. here he is. >> we're going to stand with you and the people of the gulf as long as it takes for you to recover. >> jason carroll has more tonight from houma, louisiana. >> reporter: throughout much of downtown houma, louisiana, one can see the damage from hurricane ida in nearly every direction. this was once a childhood home of harrison. his great grandmother lived here, now it's all gone. >> my whole childhood is just