The world was caught by surprise when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. All three states were urged to immediately evacuate. The city hit the worst was New Orleans, La. Those that stayed relied on shelter in the New Orleans Superdome, which was not as safe as presumed to be. The roof was partial blown away and flooding began as the hurricane pounced on the city.
Evacuees had little food and water, unsanitary restrooms and harsh living conditions.
Texas opened its arms and welcomed evacuees into the Houston Astrodome and Reliant Arena. Other cities including San Antonio, Beaumont, Dallas and Austin also opened up shelters for evacuees.
In Houston the American Red Cross, with help from the media, sent out a request for volunteers, donations and any help that could be provided.
With more than 20,000 evacuees housed in both the Arena and the Astrodome the American Red Cross needed all the help they could get.
In the Arena there are wall to wall cots filled with people on top and all that they could salvage underneath. There were blatant smells of garbage, urine, and body odor.
Kids were running around trying in any way possible to entertain themselves and the others took their minds off the situation by styling each other’s hair or simply going to sleep.
There was a food station with boxes full of sandwiches, snacks, fruit, ice cream and drinks. They are well taken care of considering the circumstances. Evacuees couldn’t believe that volunteers would come out to help people that they never met for free.
“Why would you come here to help us?” asked one evacuee.
Helping the victims was not only a good service to those in need, but it also makes volunteers aware of how much is taken for granted every day and also how much people really do care.