Taylor Swift Donates $1M Pledge To Louisiana Flood Victims
After Louisiana was struck with devastating torrential rains, causing massive flooding that killed at least 11 people, Taylor Swift has pledged a $1 million relief donation to the state.
Swift first made her pledge in August. Two months later, she has divided up her donation to Convoy of Hope, The Life of a Single Mom and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge. It was reported that Swift also gifted $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity, which hopes to rebuild 100 homes in Baton Rouge by the end of 2017, and donated $50,000 to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in August.
On September 16, 2016, they announced via their website that Taylor Swift donated $50,000 to Louisiana's Ascension Public Schools "for flood relief efforts." According to Ascension, five of the district's 27 schools are currently closed due to the flood.
Swift launched [2015's] The 1989 World Tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home," the singer told the Associated Press. "The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking," she continued. "I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time."
Louisiana has faced some of the worst flooding in its history. According to the report of National Weather Service, most of the state has received at least one foot of rain since October 7, with some areas facing up to 30 inches. An estimated 40,000 homes have been affected, with 30,000 people rescued.
Brad Kieserman, the Red Cross' vice president of disaster services, operations and logistics, said that the current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy [in Oct. 2012. He noted that the relief operations would cost at least $30 million but could grow as [they] learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation.
