Category 4 storm Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday (Aug. 29), and over one million people on the Gulf Coast were left without access to the power grid. The levees held in the Bayou State. However, the more than 150 mph winds compounded widespread power outages in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. These blackouts arrive beside the announcement of a new daily average of 100,000 American Coronavirus-related hospitalizations.
In a period where healthcare workers urgently need access to electricity to support their hurricane-ravaged communities, they are being subjected to multiple wellness limitations. The precise tropical storm death toll in the Gulf Coast has yet to be determined, but search crews have rescued hundreds of people enclosed by wreckage or flooding. Even so, The New York Times confirmed there was “… eight feet of water overtopped levees, sending several hundred people into attics and onto roofs,” before The National Weather Service circulated a heat advisory for both Louisiana and Mississippi.
Tenants may not be able to cook a meal, utilize at-home medical methods, or drink clean water due to damages. Ida upended innumerable homes, small businesses, and major landmarks. Air conditioning is not merely a luxury — it is essential for locals facing temperatures of 105 degrees or above. Further, “…debris blocking roadways and difficult access in swampy lowlands could slow its recovery efforts,” per The Washington Post.
Additionally, the flooding in an area notably recognized for its alligator population has been devastating. A Louisiana senior citizen sustained fatal injuries from a gator attack while approaching resources held in storage under his home. The conditions are dire, especially for those already constrained by wealth inequality, i.e. numerous New Orleans natives who were thrashed by Hurricane Katrina 16 years (to the day) ago.
It is anticipated that more than one million people potentially remain without power for some weeks. For connection, predominantly Black and POC neighborhoods require the most external assistance, as academic documentation supports these areas are customarily withheld adequate resources nationally.
The East Coast faced Ida’s wrath on Wednesday (Sept. 1) night, as well. Presently, at least 25 people have been reported dead including a 2-year-old. Though New York and New Jersey’s meeting with Ida was disastrous, the Gulf Coast — per usual — received the hardest blow.
Become accustomed to five relief organizations that are supporting Hurricane Ida survivors down south during their time of need below.
1. Imagine Water Works
Imagine Water Works’ mission is to reimagine the future through art, science education, and organic community connections. Since 2012, the Louisiana-based company has emphasized how their region is “… living with water, working in an intersection of reducing risk from flooding, pollution, and natural hazards.” Additionally, the group tutors locals on the effects of environmental pollution and systemic oppression related to wellness.
Imagine Water Works plans in their districts to prepare for both natural and manufactured disasters. Their four corporate pillars are water, climate, readiness/response, and mutual aid. Additionally, their crew is centric through inclusivity teachings with Black, Indigenous, Creole, and LGBTQ+ leadership. The allies are on the frontlines of the ongoing disaster relief, aiming to be “… liberatory and shame-free.”
Learn more and get involved:
Website: https://www.imaginewaterworks.org/
E-mail: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginewaterworks/
Donation: https://donorbox.org/ida
Address:
P.O. Box 97
Arabi, LA 70032
2. World Central Kitchen
José Andrés and his spouse had a vision for World Central Kitchen (WCK), but the pair did not anticipate becoming global humanitarians. Together, they “… envisioned an organization that would use food to empower communities and strengthen economies.” In the face of natural catastrophes on five continents, such as those previously affecting Haiti or Puerto Rico, their team has provided meals to innumerable bodies.
By bringing cuisine beside the Food Producer Network and joining forces with local charities, the organization provides kindness to populations who may have otherwise gone without the love of a warm plate. WCK is already on the ground serving hot lunches and dinners to shelters and responders in Hurricane Ida’s most impacted regions. Their grouping has pledged to continue the clean cookstoves initiative, emergency culinary training programs and uplift those prohibited by the Category 4 hurricane.
Learn more and get involved:
Website: https://wck.org/
Phone: 202-844-6330
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WCKitchen/
Donation: https://donate.wck.org/give/355034/#!/donation/checkout
Address:
655 New York NW, 6th Floor,
Washington, DC 20001
3. Relief Gang
Trae tha Truth offers more than lyricism. The “Swang” record executive and his civic Relief Gang are venturing from their Houston hometown to Louisiana with nonperishable goods, toiletries, gas, and cleaning supplies. The rapper-activist and his philanthropic affiliates issued a call to action via social media for storm donations.
The Relief Gang has previously contributed to clothing drives for the homeless, food drives during holidays, and gathered medical supplies to combat COVID-19 for Texans. Now, they have launched the Angel By Nature donation page to support areas affected by “… Hurricane Ida and its devastation on the Gulf Coast… [Relief Gang will] be present where needed for search and rescue…” It may make a difference for donors to place their money in the hands of a team consistently giving back to everyday people.
Learn more and get involved:
Trae tha Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traeabn/?hl=en
Phone: 800-201-8611
Relief Gang Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reliefgang/
Donation: https://www.pledge.to/reliefgang
4. Humane Society
Beyond the millions of citizens experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Ida are those household’s extended family members: pets. The Humane Society operates out of the District of Columbia and is widely credited as the nation’s most effective animal protection organization. Their ongoing Disaster Relief Fund is equipped with an animal rescue and response team.
These frontline pet workers are dedicated to handling “…large-scale emergencies, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, utility outages and more.” Further, their operators prioritize those who are differently abled and require animal assistance. Donations potentially keep connections like those mentioned above together. There are further resources for caretakers seeking shelter and rescue partners with consideration of possible disaster-related budget constraints.
Learn more and get involved:
Website: https://www.humanesociety.org/
Phone: 202-452-1100
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanesociety/
Donation: https://www.humanesociety.org/disaster-relief
Address:
1255 23rd St. NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20037
5. World Vision
World Vision is a global Christian humanitarian organization that assists people of all religious backgrounds. The collective’s mission is to partner with “… children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.” Some of the crisis resources their partners provide may include — but are not limited to — tarps, water, clothing, and diapers.
In total, they have helped over 20 million disaster survivors and refugees. The organization has improved the education of more than 3 million children through diverse sponsorship programs. And in response to Hurricane Ida, their representatives are on the frontlines in Baton Rouge and at their Dallas warehouse offering relief.
Learn more and get involved:
Website: https://www.worldvision.org/
Phone: 888-511-6548
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WorldVisionUSA/
Donation: https://donate.worldvision.org/give/disaster-relief
Address:
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063