The story of the 2005 hurricane season is told in the faces of those who weathered three monsterous hurricanes and survived and those who reached out to them offering a lifeline—lives touching lives, neighbors helping neighbors.
(Photo Credit: Various Photographers/American Red Cross) |
Millions of lives were impacted by the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season – it was the “worst case scenario” for the United States. With a record-breaking 28 named tropical storms including 15 hurricanes, three names stand out among them…Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Within weeks of each other and with incredible intensity and force, Katrina and Rita changed the face of many parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Close on their heels was Hurricane Wilma—coming less than a month after Rita made landfall. Not only was Wilma the 21st named storm of the season, a record not seen since 1933, it became the most intense hurricane in recorded history.
More than a thousand people lost their lives as a result of these hurricanes, and millions more were left battered, broken, displaced or homeless. But, while entire neighborhoods were being wiped out by heavy rains, storm surges or flood waters from breeched levees, communities and neighbors from across the country were mobilizing. People wanted to help; they gave their money, their time and their tears.
As the disaster grew to previously unimaginable proportions, the coordinated effort among a multitude of disaster response agencies and humanitarian organizations worked to keep up and meet the needs of those impacted. More than 244,000 Red Crossers – some hurricane victims themselves, some from other national Red Cross societies and the majority of them volunteers – put their jobs, families and lives on hold to help their neighbors along the coast weather the storm and face the trying days ahead of them.
While thousands worked behind the scenes to coordinate relief efforts, thousands more made the pilgrimage to the scenes of the disasters to render aid. They offered food, water, shelter, health care and critical relief supplies made possible by the hundreds of thousands of generous financial donations that poured in from individuals, community and school groups and corporations.
But, as important as the tangibles were the intangibles – as someone to listen, to care, to give word of a loved one safe and sound or even just give a hug.
This monumental task of providing immediate disaster relief and recovery assistance in the wake of this devastating hurricane season tested the spirit, determination and cooperation of the entire country. Given the incredible demands that were faced, America rose to the challenge, providing care and comfort to millions of people struggling to get through another day.
But, don’t get lost in the numbers. The story of the 2005 hurricane season isn’t just in the enormous, anonymous numbers. The real story is told in the faces of those individuals who weathered these monster storms and survived as well as those who reached out to them offering a lifeline—lives touching lives, neighbors helping neighbors.
The hurricane season has officially ended, but the journey towards recovery has just begun. The American Red Cross, comprised of nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees, is committed to being a part of the recovery process and, with its partnerships and in a spirit of collaboration, will continue demonstrating tireless compassion every step of the way. |
