As we have heard recently there has been a tragedy in Houston due to Hurricane Harvey. This tropical storm has let the state flooded and at least 30 people have lost their lives due to this catastrophe. What was scarier for me was that I know people who go to UT Austin or I go to school with people from Texas. To be away from your family during this event sounds very stressful especially when the state is still under distress. Throughout my life, there have been many big names in storms and hurricanes and witnessing this storm while I am in Tuscaloosa makes me remember two of the biggest hurricanes in my life.

When I was in the third grade Hurricane Ivan not only swept through the United States but more specifically the Gulf Coast. Growing up, I had always heard about hurricanes, but I had never experienced one. It was at this time when I was eight years old that I would see my first hurricane as it not only swept through countries like Cuba and Venezuela but states such Texas, Florida, Louisiana and Alabama. I remember seeing all the damage on the news that affected the nearby county Baldwin County. I later learned that an hour away Pensacola, FL, had lost many buildings and had experienced terrible flooding. Looking back on this event almost 13 years ago I at the time didn’t think there could be anything close to as bad as Ivan.

The next year around the same time Hurricane Katrina hit the Southeast but primarily New Orleans, LA. As we had already recovered from Ivan I now had to watch and see a city that was only two hours away from me rebuild not just the city but the people in the community. People’s lives were destroyed and it seemed like people had to start their lives over. I questioned what was occurring and why. Not only did people lose their homes but some people lost their lives. How do you rebound from something that has taken more than a decade to rebuild but you can't rebuild everything from?

When hearing about this tragedy in Houston my mind was in a million places but I also did know that I could offer my support. As someone who has seen two communities close to me having to rebuild and part of the place I call my home have to go through the same process I had somewhat of an idea of what was going on. I know that I will find ways to help this amazing city even though I cannot be there in their time of need.

Houston needs us and any type of support helps. Something I remember when growing up was all the support New Orleans received after Katrina and the help New York got after Isaac. We need to help out everyone in Houston because they need it and what if they were here to help us out in our times of trouble. It is important that we do anything to help even if it is just donating some money. Houston needs us.