The first land falling hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane season roared ashore on August 27th and brought chaos to the gulf coast. With winds of 80 miles per hour, Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana and mover northward through Arkansas before finally weakening. The main problem with the hurricane was the size of the storm. Because the hurricane was so big, it caused more rainfall and flooding than a typical tropical cyclone. The fortunate part was the City of New Orleans was spared from the worst of the flooding because the new levee system worked to perfection. The people of Plaquemines Parish Louisiana were not so lucky. Flooding in that area forced many homes underwater and even killed a few people who did not have enough time to escape the rising water. After the hurricane had passed, although the levee system worked perfectly, there was still much cleaning up to do.
First on the scene were FEMA and The Red Cross, who brought meals, freshwater, and other important supplies to the people affected. The cleanup is underway and both of these organizations have headed the efforts. In order to help the victims, a simple cash donation can do the job. This donation will go towards the purchasing of items for the victims such as bottled water, flashlights, and even rebuilding materials. Although the cash donations are helpful to these people, a bolder way of helping hurricane victims is to journey to the hardest hit area and help with the cleanup. Aside from supplies, the victims need help clearing away debris and eventually rebuilding their homes. Flooding can devastate a home in mere hours and destroy all possessions including the house itself. Because some of these homes are destroyed beyond repair, they need to be cleared away and built over. This takes long hours of work by many people. Instead of taking your next leisurely trip to the Caribbean, take a volunteering trip and help these victims.
