After the Storm

After the Storm

Hurricane Irma has left a path of destruction throughout the south. Florida and the Caribbean have taken a major hit. One week later here in Cape Coral (SW side of Florida), there are still places without power. The same goes throughout the state. My own parents still don’t have power in central Florida. Nor does my uncle In Ft Lauderdale (the East coast side).  Below us… I can’t write this without crying. It’s a nightmare. Marco Island, the Keys- destroyed.  Citizens are being allowed back in under the condition they can bring their own food and water for an undetermined amount of time. The medical facilities there aren’t even fully operational. The Lower Keys and into the Caribbean will take years to recover- if they even do. Barbuda- empty-totally destroyed. All the people living there had to evacuate and now they have nothing to return to. The out pour of assistance has been amazing. Neighbors helping neighbors. My husband and I were taken in by friends for several days. That was truly a saving grace to our sanity. Linemen from every state it seems have been arriving to help. Texas linemen are responsible for getting my street up and running. Local churches and clubs are coordinating with churches and clubs to help in the daily distribution of food and water. This will be a long coordination process since many just within an arm’s reach are expected to be without basic needs for months ahead.  And that’s just for the human side of life.

Animals are in great need of assistance to. Several friends are still trying to locate the pets. A local no kill shelter that houses high energy abandoned and abused Belgian Malinois and shepherd breeds. They have rescued hundreds. But their main kennel had the roof peeled back and they are in sincere need of help in relocating and all the other vet and food needs that go along with taking care of these wonderful creatures. To contribute go to the Bo Nose Facebook page and click "Donate". https://www.facebook.com/TeamBoNose/?fref=ts

WolfHounds Legacy is a non- profit organization that rescues 2 lives at a time. They rescue dogs from kill shelters that can be trained & certified to become assistance animals for Veterans with PTSD. The current dogs in training had to be relocated during the hurricane and help is much needed to maintain their housing and food needs. To assist them, please go to their website http://www.wolfhoundslegacy.com
You can also follow them on Facebook.

There has been so much devastation that it seems no end is in sight. But the human spirit is strong. And there is nowhere to go but up from here. So stick by stick, brick by brick, neighbor with neighbor, with both friends and strangers we will rebuild.

You can also assist by giving or volunteering through the Red Cross:

https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-irma-donations?scode=RSG00000E017&utm_campaign=irma&gclid=CjwKCAjwuvjNBRBPEiwApYq0zuhWuQwcX-YZrpYg-CrKP9dc3Ll4rVfkxhWWbmABNbjylQRyPyh5IBoCBQwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CMiusf2irNYCFQ4bhwod7UYGGQ

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