The Flip Side of the Hurricane

People, Power & Possibilities with Donna Fisher

The hurricane had not even reached the shore when people started reaching out to help each other. An employee from the other side of town stopped by to help board up our windows. My neighbor called from out of town to see if I would check on her place. Numerous phone calls (especially from my Mom in North Carolina) and emails came in prior to the arrival of Ike and lots of text messages (many phone were not working) during and after Ike.

As a result of that NATURAL desire to help others in need, Houston and the Gulf Coast area had people arriving from all over the country to help our area recover. And individuals from this area showed up all over town to hand out supplies, assist with clean up (anyone with a chain saw became very popular) and answer the telephones at the "help lines". Neighbors (who hardly ever even see each other) helped each other clean up the debris and get their lives back "in order".

Sometimes the magnitude of our networks is fairly transparent until a crisis or need arises. But the main thing is that when there is a need, we do think to reach out to one another – to ask for help, to offer help or simply to let someone know we're "there". The good nature, compelling spirit and fortitude of human beings makes for a powerful network of support.