Aug 29 Hurricane Katrina Relief

Hurricane Katrina caused extensive and severe damage as the hurricane across the Gulf Coast region of the southeastern United States. Hurricane Katrina hits Louisiana´s largest city, New Orleans, on August 29, 2005.

United States Federal disaster declarations blanketed 233,000 square km. The hurricane left an estimated five million people without power, and it may be up to two months before all power is restored. Disaster relief plans are in operation in the affected areas. The following morning of August 30, 2005 a breakages in the levee system in New Orleans caused a second and even greater disaster. Heavy flooding covered the entire city over a sustained period, forcing the total evacuation of over a million people. The City of New Orleans was uninhabitable, due to its being below sea level meaning that the water had nowhere to go.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is probably the worst catastrophe or set of catastrophes in the US´s history. As of September 1, 2005, more than 20,000 are still reported missing.  The estimated death toll from Hurricane Katrina could top 10,000.

this will link directly to The Salvation Army's website

Note: TSA will be the sole beneficiary of your donation.

The Salvation Army is currently providing services to storm victims and first responders in the Gulf Coast states.   A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies.

Amazon.com has setup an online donor page for American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.  Victims of Hurricane Katrina are attempting to recover from the massive storm. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina’s destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands of victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial donation to support hurricane relief efforts, the Red Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Warning: Be aware of Katrina Phishing Scam operators.  Here are some tips to help spot charity scams:

1. BE WARY of every opportunity that presents itself especially when it presents itself in the wake of some big disaster that gets lots of media attention.
2. Ask for the name, address, and phone number of the charity. If the presenters claim that it is registered, get a registration number.
3. Verify with the office of the charity that there is indeed a campaign going on, or that they've authorized the charity drive that you're being invited to contribute to.