Fortunately, he was with me in Mexico City when it happened. Though power has been restored, he still has no phone service, and no water. He's currently staying in the gutted house, which is unsurprising: if mosquitoes and no A/C in Mexico City don't faze him, he has it in him to make it through this.

Others aren't so lucky. After Ike, Galveston, TX is....gone. Power isn't likely to be restored to millions for upwards of a month. Some residents don't have the ability to flush their toliets, tempting disease to set in and spread.

Why does any of this concern you, especially since Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia have been lucky this year to escape catastrophe on this scale? Because it's highly likely it'll happen in the future, and when it does, we'll need help others offer.

For only the second time in their 125 year history, the American Red Cross has had to borrow money for their Disaster Relief Fund. $35 million for Gustav alone. WAPE has teamed up with Winn Dixie in "Neighbors Helping Neighbors". You'll find donation sheets at every register. Donate anything from $0.50 to $500, and they'll automatically tack it on your final grocery bill. Or you can donate online here. And thanks.

-Tessa Hall (middays on WAPE), and the entire WAPE staff.