As much as I am tempted to talk about the college football news here in my hometown, I feel it is much more important to focus on the plight of our fellow citizens who are suffering mightily in the aftermath of the Great Flood! Although my home was not affected in any meaningful way, there are many of my neighbors to the east who continue to deal with the devastating blow dealt to them and their families by this storm. Many people have lost their homes and possessions, many roadways are blocked (I have to take several detours to get from my home to my office), and roads are continuing to collapse having been worn out by water. Most of the City of Columbia and several other cities were without drinkable water which caused numerous issues such as washing dishes, washing clothes, brushing your teeth, etcetera. Businesses also suffered in terms of traffic congestion and restaurants with the lack of drinkable water. These economic losses are mounting and are expected to continue. What should we do?
We all have a duty to assist our fellow man. For those of you who can contribute financially make sure the charitable arm you are using is reliable and trustworthy, also give of your time, talent, and treasure to those who are less fortunate.
I have read numerous stories in the media about how people have almost lost their lives in the flood and unfortunately many did during this devastation. In Sunday’s State Newspaper, outstanding reporter Jeff Wilkinson told of the near death story of himself and his girlfriend. The article entitled, “The State reporter escapes Columbia flooding through car’s sunroof”, is a somber and compelling reminder of just how ruthless this storm was. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article38712528.html