People helping people
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
I am so happy I live in a rural area where people help people. I feel so sorry for people who live in big cities where they may or may not know their neighbors.
We may be called backward or uneducated, but WE know that is not correct. We know we are caring, helping, supportive people who come to the aid of our neighbors whether we know them are not. Watching the relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Helene I am reminded that we join hands with each other regardless of background, race, gender, or religion, to help each other instead of sitting down and waiting for the government to come to our rescue.
Unfortunately, there is now another major hurricane headed to the west coast of Florida. I hope those people will not have to wait as long for the federal government to show up. The advantage is Gov. DeSantis is experienced with staging for these disasters and having rescue crews on standby to go in as soon as the worst is over.
Several of the states impacted by Helene had never faced the type of damage that comes from a hurricane – they were more experienced in tornadoes. Their governors did not have the advanced knowledge of how to be prepared. But that is when neighbors helping neighbors stepped in.
The topography of the mountains and the massive amounts of rain played into the massive damage from Helene. The water had nowhere to spread out so it had to go into the lower areas between the mountains and created even more river-like flooding. Helene in Florida had a flatter area to spread the storm surge out, also. But now they are faced again with a storm surge that will add to the damage already done.
But back again to the rescue missions in the mountains. Unknown individuals and companies arrived with airplanes, helicopters, ATVs, and even mules to get into the isolated areas that had no roads or communication.
Elon Musk went against government regulations to get his Starlink units in to help with providing communications – at no cost. Dolly Parton has donated $1 million from her personal account and another $1 million from Dollywood. Several country music entertainers have also donated large amounts to the rescue efforts. Donald Trump brought in supplies and has donated money. Samaritans Purse and Rev. Franklin Graham were there immediately, in addition to the Baptist Disaster Relief teams and other church organizations.
The Cajun Navy that organized after one of the Louisiana hurricanes several years ago and some of the brave veterans who went into Afghanistan to rescue people after the Americans were pulled out have also been on the ground. Again, people helping people!
Groups and people just like this will respond to Florida after Hurricane Milton passes through this week. The small towns of Florida and the rural areas are much like we are here in Coosa County. They will help each other rebuild.
Growing up on the Gulf Coast I saw firsthand how people came together storm after storm to clean up and get ready for the next one. We knew what had to be done to prepare and what we would have to do once the storms were gone. But I have trouble thinking how the people on the Florida coast now are going to survive two MAJOR storms in just a couple of weeks’ time.
I know many people from Coosa County who have vacationed in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina – especially during the fall. We actually have a trip planned for the end of this month to Virginia and North Carolina so we are watching to see if any of the areas we are going to have been damaged. Fall is the prime tourist season for those areas, and they will be missing much of the business they depend on every year. If you can, plan a quick trip up to the area to support the businesses who are still operating.
We’ve seen devastation here in Coosa County so we can all understand what these people are going through. Please keep the people of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee in your prayers. Consider helping our Central Alabama Baptist Association in the efforts of Matthew Reams to take supplies to a sister church in South Carolina. He has already taken one large load up and is preparing to take another one.
Stay safe, and thanks for being my neighbors!