150. Helping out those affected by Hurricane Katrina

Thursday, September 01, 2005

For the past several days, the eyes of Americans across the country and those around the world have been trained on the news coverage of the devastation wrecked by Hurricane Katrina. Once the storm passed, New Orleans being spared a direct hit, the city looked to be in the clear. However, with the breaking of levees in the area, water has flowed into the city. Now 80% of the city is underwater. There is concern that the city will never be the same. Some have said it will take five years for the city to be rebuilt, if it is rebuilt at all. With New Orleans being located below sea level, it is being wondered if the city should be rebuilt.

My own attention this week has been focused on the news coverage. I find myself watching on in sadness long after the time I should be in bed sleep. The stories are heartbreaking and I can only watch as the news unfolds. So much is happening in the region. So many have lost their homes and there is a tremendous loss of life. It is still unknown just how many have lost their lives because so much of the city is underwater. The water reaches rooftops in some cases.

Today across the blogosphere, bloggers are asking for Hurricane Katrina flood aid as part of a Hurricane Katrina Blog Relief Day. As one of the bloggers taking part in this effort, I ask you to call or visit the American Red Cross website and make a donation. Twenty-one million has already reportedly been donated to the Red Cross already, but more is needed. When you make your donation, please state it is meant to go directly to Hurricane Katrina relief.

There are so many stories coming out of the region, and so many are stepping up to help. One such story coming out of my own little corner of the blogosphere with one author Larissa Ione, a resident of Gulf port, Mississippi. She evacuated over the weekend, and now her home has been destroyed. Friends of the author have gathered together and are looking to assist her in her time of need. There are so many stories though. The news is full of stories of loss. There are so many that are in need of assistance in this time.

Musicians are even gathering together to help out as well. Concerts are scheduled to air on NBC and MTV in the coming weeks. Concerts have been held in the past as well for other tragedies, such as 9/11 and the Tsunami. This Friday on NBC an hour long commercial free concert will air with country singer Tim McGraw, Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. All three entertainers are from the Louisiana area. MTV is also set to air a concert for Hurricane Katrina relief of September 10th. Entertainers such as Green Day, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews Band are set perform on this show. The concert will also be simulcast to VH1 and CMT.

Everyone wants to help in any way they can. Here at Blogcritics a relief fund ha also been established. There are so many ways one can help those affected by the tragedy. To learn of other ways to help visit this site. Together we can help those in this time of great sadness for our country. This is one of the worst natural disaster's in our county's history. The devastation is heartbreaking, and I hope in the time to come things do improve.