Irma Brings Devastation

By Ashley Hazan and ​​Stefanie Sadocha

Business Insider

     People are seeking closure after the devastating losses caused by Hurricane Irma. From New York to Florida, people all around the country have been shell shocked by the category five whirlwind. 
     The towns that were right in the eye of the storm were destroyed almost completely. Rockport, Aransas Pass, and Port Lavaca are some of the towns that were hit the hardest. People had to evacuate, taking only a few of their belongings. Most of the homes were completely flooded, leaving all of their remaining belongings destroyed. Nearly 7 million homes lost electricity; two deaths were announced in Georgia and another five in Florida. 

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     Samantha Sidney, a resident of Charleston, South Carolina, knows all too well the havoc Irma caused. ​​​In preparation for the hurricane, Mrs. Sidney, along with many of her neighbors, shut down their houses “to protect the windows from the falling debris and wind.” In addition, the South Carolina area cancelled school three days in advance to prepare for a possible evacuation.
   Due to “the heavy rain and winds,” many communities lost electricity for approximately two days. “Fortunately,” Mrs. Sidney says, “we were very lucky. A few fallen branches, but not much else. Some friends who live downtown, near the beach…had lots of flooding.” 
     States are making great progress in the recovery stages, but there is still a great deal of work left. 
The students at Oyster Bay are well aware of what is happening in Texas and are trying their best to help victims recover by leaving donations in the bin located in the lower gym lobby. 
Ninth grader Anna Silver and seventh grader Tennyson Kelly shared their input on the hurricane. “It is a tragic natural disaster that has affected the lives of many. Hopefully they have a fast and easy recovery process,” says Silver.
    Tennyson Kelly revealed, “The people are doing the best they can to recover. They are cleaning out their homes and rebuilding due to terrible flooding.”
People all across the country have been helping to raise money for the rebuilding of towns in Texas. There have been concerts and donation bins for various items. Donation bins are collecting everything from nonperishable foods to toiletry items. 
     Organizations like UNICEF, The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies and The Right to the City, are a few of the many areas where we, in New York, can make a difference.