5 Organizations Helping Hurricane Ida Victims—and How You Can Contribute

On Sunday, August 29—the 16th anniversary of the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana—Hurricane Ida struck the state as a Category 4 hurricane. It’s since been downgraded to a tropical storm, but flash flooding is still a looming threat, and the full scope of the damage has yet to be determined. Millions are without power, and an untold number of people have been left without homes altogether.

If you’re looking for ways to help, whether on the ground or from afar, here are five organizations worth checking out.

1. Imagine Water Works

Imagine Water Works is a New Orleans-based organization that helps communities deal with anthropogenic and natural disasters, with a focus on climate justice and inclusivity. It’s currently collecting donations for a Hurricane Ida relief and recovery fund, which you can learn more about and contribute to here.

2. All Hands and Hearts

All Hands and Hearts is evaluating structural damage in affected areas and will soon send in workers to start clearing debris and repairing buildings. If you’re up for “chainsaw work, roof tarping, mucking and gutting, and mold sanitizing” (among other manual tasks), you can volunteer here. You can also donate to the program here.

3. Another Gulf Is Possible

Another Gulf Is Possible, an organization devoted to advancement and equity for marginalized demographics throughout the Gulf Coast, has teamed up with the Indigenous Environmental Network to coordinate mutual aid for those demographics. You can donate to their rapid response fund and find out other ways to contribute to their Just Ida Recovery initiative here.

4. Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The Louisiana SPCA sent 140 of its shelter animals to the Houston SPCA ahead of the storm, but around 220 are still at the Louisiana branch. In addition to caring for those animals, the staff is also coordinating post-storm rescue efforts for other pets in need. If you’re in the area and would like to volunteer, you can email IDAlaspca@gmail.com. You can also donate to the organization here.

5. Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is mobilizing teams in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi—and working with branches in the surrounding states—to provide food and other relief to storm victims. You can donate to their efforts here. (Make sure to choose Hurricane Ida in the dropdown menu beneath “What would you like your donation to support?”)