Remembering those in need

A year ago today, Japan suffered a 9.0-magnitude earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. The people of Japan are marking the anniversary in solemn remembrance, but there is still so much rebuilding work to do.

Last week Kentucky and Indiana suffered a string of tornados that destroyed neighborhoods. It will take a long time for these families to rebuild and start over.

On May 22, 2011 an EF-5 tornado killed 160 people in Joplin, Missouri and destroyed 7000 homes. I can’t even imagine…7000 homes just gone… I am not even sure my town has 7000 homes. Rebuilding has started, but they are still removing debris in parts of the city.

August 29 2005 was the date Katrina hit Louisiana and the other southern states and I still remember then Representative Barak Obama stating the incompetency of the government rescue efforts in the first few days was colorblind. I remember the stories of tragedy, but I remember too the huge volunteer effort that so many took part in. In October we heard:

"Experts tell us we're entering a 20-year period of increased severe-storm intensity," said Senator Jim DeMint, Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction and one of the sponsors of the briefing. "Hurricane Katrina was likely the worst natural disaster to ever hit America, and it is likely just the beginning. The fact is that we're only in the first inning of a nine-inning game, and we need to do everything we can to maintain and improve accurate predictions of natural disasters." http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/11/

And I remember coming home on Christmas night 2004 and hearing reports of the huge earthquake in the Indian Ocean. As I headed up the stairs to bed, I wondered how big an earthquake had to be to make a tidal wave. When I awakened on December 26, the news was all about the 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake that was followed by a tsunami that killed hundreds of THOUSANDS. A number that is hard to conceive. ( Between 230,210 – 310,000 are dead) And seeing the photos of Banda Aceh before and after was heartbreaking.

Things I did not know-
•In Banda Aceh, the city closest to the earthquake epicenter, the tsunami arrived about 15 to 20 minutes after the earthquake was felt.
•Many buildings in Banda Aceh withstood the earthquake shaking but were destroyed by the tsunami waves. (Over 9.1 and the buildings withstood it)
•Likely because of the area's low elevation, the first tsunami wave that struck Banda Aceh did not have time to recede before the arrival of the next wave: the second tsunami wave rode over the first, and the third rode over the second. http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2005/03/

I bring these up to point out that even though some of these events were seven/eight years ago, folks still need help. Please remember the charities like the American Red Cross that support folks when tragedy strikes. And in the weeks and months to come after these disasters. Every little bit helps when you lose everything.