News

Tweets And Photos Show Support For Louisiana

by Chris Tognotti

Over the past couple of weeks, the state of Louisiana has been grappling with a dire natural disaster, with devastating floods washing out and destroying tens of thousands of homes, displacing families in the process, and reportedly killing at least 13 people. It's been somewhat under-acknowledged by national press, too, owing to the fact that there was no hurricane involved, and the usual hard focus on the presidential race. Still, some people have been paying their respects, with "Love for Louisiana" tweets and photos showing support for the people affected and hurt by the floods.

As it stands now, relief and recovery groups are desperate for donations and for volunteers, so if you have the money, time, or ability to help out, whether in a big way or a small one, you definitely should. Between the always-perilous relationship between the Bayou State and the forces of nature, and the worsening state of climate change, it's a sad reality that countless Louisianans are very familiar with these sorts of disasters, and this won't be the last one they face.

As some of these tweets and images show, there's been a big turnout in terms of donations, tributes, and memorials alike ― here's a sampling of some of what's out there.

Mario Tama/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images

One prominent use of the #LoveForLouisiana hashtag, beyond the support and prayers offered up to the state's human residents, is how the Geauga Humane Society is trying to find new owners for dogs stranded by the floods. If you live in the area and want to help rescue an animal in need, this could be a good option for you ― although obviously, there are still countless people who could use your help, too.

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Mario Tama/Getty Images News/Getty Images

For the record, if you're looking for a way to help provide some relief and support amid the flood recovery, whether through donations or volunteerism, the American Red Cross is currently requesting both ― specifically, they're asking for anybody who can actually donate their time to become "virtual volunteers." If that sounds like something you're interested in doing, you should check out their website and submit an application, since it's something you could do from anywhere, working from home rather than being on-the-ground in the state. Make no mistake, it's going to take a long time and a lot of work for the damage from these floods to be fully repaired, and to whatever extent you can help a person in need, it's important.