Hurricane+Harvey+destruction+in+Houston+found+in+The+New+Yorker

David J. Phillip

Hurricane Harvey destruction in Houston found in “The New Yorker”

Natural Disasters Destroying Our World

Among Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and the earthquake in Mexico, it is clear that the events of the past month have been nothing short of disastrous. The aforementioned have mainly affected the South: Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands. Many speculate that climate change had contributed to the severity of the hurricanes.

Richard Allan, the Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, informed The Telegraph that “Hurricanes, or tropical cyclones, require a set of atmospheric ingredients to form.  Warm upper ocean water provides the most vital hurricane fodder- energy and water. . . .Especially strong seasonal warming this year combined with the other factors mentioned, partly relating to natural ocean fluctuations, have made conditions ripe for tropical cyclones to form in the Atlantic.”

This series of events has occurred within weeks of each other, with Hurricane Harvey hitting the Texas Gulf Coast on August 25,  the earthquake in Mexico taking place on September 8 and Hurricane Irma making landfall on Florida on September 9. The aftermath was a deadly trail of destruction and interrupted power and water supply which left many to be displaced from their homes.

Fortunately, relief organizations quickly sprung into action, including many volunteers who devoted their time and energy to the relief effort. UNICEF Mexico and the Mexican Red Cross actively sourced for donations to help aid and rebuild the damaged city. Save the Children Mexico’s Programs Coordinator Hanna Monsivais has spent a long period of time offering help and aid to people on the streets who require it. The Austin Disaster Relief Network has set up a phone number for any families affected by the hurricane, and Lost Dogs of Texas has been recording any lost pets they found so that they may one day reunite with their owner. The U.S. Department of Labor has provided a $10 million National Dislocated Worker Grant to aid with cleanup and relief efforts.

If we are going to get through all the storms that confront us… we are going to do it together: hand in hand.

— Selena Gomez

In addition to the relief efforts of organization, many of our own celebrities have jumped in to donate or raise awareness. Regarding the earthquake, Ashley Tisdale says that Mexico is in her prayers, since Mexico City was one of her favorite destinations on her High School Musical tour. Many send love toward the country through their tweets, including Victoria Justice and Ellen DeGeneres.

Leonardo DiCaprio has donated $1 million to the United Way Harvey Recovery Fund and Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation collaborated with Bread of Life and Greater Houston Community Foundation to aid with Hurricane Harvey victims. Selena Gomez took part in Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief, in which the proceeds went to help victims of both hurricanes.

“If we are going to get through all the storms that confront us,” Gomez said, “that’s how we are going to do it together: hand in hand.”

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