Flooding In The Midwest Continues…So Where Are The Celebrities?
On Saturday morning, yet another town in northeastern Missouri was inundated by the ever-advancing floodwaters from the Mississippi River. The small town of Winfield, Missouri, was the latest casualty in the fight against the flood, with its makeshift sandbag levee failing in the early morning hours.
To date, countless small towns, hamlets, roads, and homes have been overtaken or somehow damaged by the Flood of ‘o8, with damages reported in the billions of dollars, while recovery estimates are calculated from months to years. The states of Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana have all been hit in some way since March with floodwaters and residual effects of too much snow, too much rain, and not enough riverbed to hold it all.
So far, there are twenty-four people reported dead and 150 injured. Tens of thousands of Midwestern folks have been displaced, living anywhere from the houses of friends and relatives to motels to Red Cross shelters to their own rooftops. Millions of sandbags have been filled by town residents and volunteers from several states away to shore up existing levees and create new, temporary ones. I can’t possibly link to all the sites with stories about the floodwaters and the people trying to survive.
However, there is a question I would like to ask:
Where are the celebrities?
Granted, there are many agencies collecting donations for people affected by this flood. You can always donate to agencies such as the United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, or the Humane Society.  Companies such as Kohl’s, PetSmart, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, and countless churches, banks, volunteer organizations, grassroots movements, and individuals are donating funds, supplies, and manpower to help those affected. Even FEMA, that much-maligned federal organization, has set up a web-based system called The National Donations Management Network. You can also visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster site. But all these are headed or organized by ordinary people, or those working for the government…not anyone who is a celebrity, in the showbiz sense of the word.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, an admittedly horrific and devastating natural disaster, you couldn’t swing a sandbag without hitting a celebrity, a news anchor, or a cameraman. Reporting from places hit by Katrina was ongoing and heavy. Celebs came out in full force to both try to offer help and condemn those who they felt were not responding in the appropriate manner. Well, according to at least one agency, the Midwest has been hit by smaller versions of the same sort of disaster:
Elcano said the Red Cross also learned that Iowa’s flooding is much larger than it was in 1993. Couple Iowa’s disasters (including tornadoes) with others in the Midwest and the organization is offering assistance at numerous “mini Katrinas.â€
Because of that, she said, the Red Cross is making a plea for donations. The organization’s disaster relief fund is “depleted.†The Red Cross must borrow to replenish it, as it did when a $20 million reserve was quickly used after Katrina, and “make an appeal out nationwide†for donations to pay off the debt.
Elcano said efforts by the Red Cross in 7-8 states affected by the recent flooding and storms is probably at a cost “north of $20 million.†[...]
In disasters such as the flooding here, McElveen-Hunter pointed out, the first need is financial. Donations of dollars, she said, “allow us to give specifically – to address the needs of individuals.â€
Much of that is done through issuing Red Cross debit cards people can use.
Funds are also used to support volunteer efforts. Food preparation sites are set up around flooded areas, with the Southern Baptists capable of cooking 30,000 meals a day from each site. The Red Cross uses Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) loaded with insulated containers holding the food. Each ERV can serve 500 meals a day. There’s no discrimination regarding who’s helped; workers are welcome to eat, too. The Red Cross also has shelters, job centers for employment-related assistance, medical team members and disaster assessment experts.
McElveen-Hunter and her team put out a call for volunteers, pointing out that about 800 Iowans served the Red Cross at disasters such as Katrina and 911. They said as of last week volunteers from 42 states were in Iowa. [...]
Elcano pointed out that Iowa has been struck multiple times in recent weeks – tornadoes, direct flooding and more intense flooding with levy breaches.
“With Parkersburg, internally, we realized we could handle this,†Schaffer, of Des Moines, said. “Then it started raining. That’s when we knew we had to engage the national resources.â€
It would seem that Joe Average is stepping up to the plate to help their fellow man. The Midwest, for all it is sneered at by more “cosmopolitan” areas of the country, forms the heart of this nation. The crops grown there supply much of the grain used in the United States; but with upwards of five million acres of corn and soybeans now washed away, the prospects of replanting this season are not good. If you’ve ever heard the saying “knee-high by the Fourth of July”, you know that the corn should be approximately knee-high by about now. Replanting this late in the season is not only expensive, but a huge gamble that often backfires.
So, I ask again:Â Where are the celebrities?
When Katrina hit, reporters were out in droves, shoving microphones in people’s faces and asking the tough questions about the failure of the levees to hold and the unpreparedness of the region for such a disaster. There was 24/7 coverage on television and the internet about looting and vandalism, discussions about FEMA grew heated (and rightfully so), helicopters swirled overhead capturing the whole event on film, and the heart and soul of the nation reached out to help those in need. Certain famous people even claimed that the US Government blew up the levees as the flooding got worse, and went all over television spreading their message.
And, I’ll ask one more time:Â Where are the celebrities?
Where is Sean Penn, venturing forth in his little leaky rowboat which threatened to sink he and his buddies, let alone any poor souls they happened to see that needed help (that couldn’t have fit in the boat anyway)? Has he rowed out to a farmhouse in Iowa to offer his assistance, flanked by his ever-present camera crews ready to record every action? Where is Harry Connick Jr, to organize a live show for people to call in and donate? Where are the national networks, with reporters standing in floodwaters, bringing the plight of those caught by them to the attention of the nation? Where is Spike Lee? Kanye West? Public Enemy? Jesse Jackson?  Michael Moore? Oprah Winfrey? Where are the telethons, the celeb fundraisers, the call from the entertainment industry that something must be done?
Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana on the morning of August 29. The Concert For Hurricane Relief was broadcast on September 2…which means it took five days to organize, if you count the 29th. The flooding in the Midwest began in approximately early June, in some cases as early as March, and it is now June 30. Where are the celebs on television night and day calling for donations? Local television and radio stations, companies, and small organizations have been conducting their own mini-telethons to raise money, but where is the national attention from the entertainment world?
About the only thing I could find about a famous person using their celeb-ness to help Midwest flooding victims was Jay Leno, who donated the proceeds from his 10 PM shows on Wednesday and Friday night in Vegas (June 25 and 27) to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. There are, however, promises of more coming:
[Dan] Baldwin [president of aforementioned Cedar Rapids foundation] said other benefits are in the works involving country and rock singers, and perhaps a telethon organized by people in the film industry with Iowa connections. Some of the celebrities were inspired to get involved by Leno, Baldwin said, the comedian being the first celebrity to use his power and influence to “shine a light†on the Iowa rebuilding effort.
While I do applaud even this little bit of help from the entertainment community, I do wonder why it is taking so long to put together a fundraiser for the Midwest, if there is one to be had. It remains to be seen if they are just empty words or if something is actually going to take place. I sincerely hope it comes to pass and I’ll be the first one blogging about it if it happens.
Now, please…I don’t want anyone to misunderstand what I am saying. Hurricane Katrina was a terrible disaster. It was a horrific storm that caused widespread damage and untold heartbreak. There were many, many catastrophic failures leading up to, during, and in the aftermath of Katrina. I had friends in the path of the storm. I’m not in any way saying that the victims of Katrina did not deserve help, fundraising, money, or celeb support in any way that they could offer it (well, perhaps Sean Penn could have taken his little boat home, but other than that). They did and do deserve any help that we can give them. I don’t begrudge one penny of support that they received through any fundraising efforts spearheaded by either ordinary people or celebrities.
I also know that the levee system in America, whether it be in New Orleans or a small town on the Mississippi River in Missouri, is sorely outdated, mismanaged, and generally in bad shape. Because of Katrina, fifty-three different levee breaches were reported in New Orleans alone; so far, the Midwest has had only twenty-two levee breaches spread out over three states, but the number rises along with the continually rising floodwaters. The US Army Corps Of Engineers, who were responsible for the failed levee system in New Orleans, are also responsible for the failing levees in the Midwest.
And I understand that you can’t compare the two events in sheer magnitude of damages and number of people affected, because it is obvious to everyone that Hurricane Katrina was the worse of the two. During the grisly aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were thousands of deaths reported, with no way of gauging an accurate number. So far, the Midwest Flood of ‘08 has been responsible for only about 24 reported deaths. Hurricane Katrina was responsible for hundreds of billions of dollars in damages, while the loss to the Midwest is so far only about $3 billion. Please understand that I’m not trying to negate the horrific losses suffered by those affected by one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit our shores and who continue to suffer, nor am I attempting to compare the two events. I can’t possibly make that clear enough.
But just because there are not as many people affected, and a great part of the area flooded is farmland, does that mean it isn’t as important? Are the people suffering in the Midwest, who have been hit with two 500-year-floods in the span of fifteen years, not as deserving of celeb attention as our neighbors in the South? Are not the same people responsible for the failed levees in the Midwest as in New Orleans? Just because the busted levee is in the Midwest, that makes it somehow less deserving of the entertainment world’s attention?
I’m not trying to say people affected by Katrina don’t deserve help. My only purpose in writing this is to compare the reactions of the entertainment community to the two events. In both cases, people have lost their homes, land, possessions, even their lives. In both cases, people have been living without electricity, drinkable water, and basic necessities for weeks, even months. In both cases, people have been displaced from their homes by invading floodwaters, and in many cases have not been allowed back to their homes to even see if they have anything left. In both cases, volunteers and victims alike have had to depend on the kindness of strangers through donations and help.  In both cases, failing levees built by the US Army Corps Of Engineers are responsible for much of the flooding.  While one was on a larger scale than the other, it doesn’t mean that the people affected feel any less pain.
I certainly hope that there are some celebs willing to use their fame to help, and soon. Waters in some places have begun to recede, but in others they continue to rise, and in some places the crest has yet to be reached and the worst is yet to come. Vital crops have been lost this year, driving up prices that are already high due to the increased cost of shipping. People just like you and I have been driven from their homes, and in some cases have no homes to go back to.
The Midwest may be derisively looked at as simply “flyover states,” something to look at on your way to somewhere more important, but it is truly the heart of America…and to those of us who live here, it is home. Celebs (many of whom hail from the very states which are experiencing flooding) need to remember just who it is that pays their paychecks by purchasing tickets to their movies, buying their CDs, and watching their shows, and step up to the plate to help the tens of thousands of people affected in the Midwest, just as they did for the hundreds of thousands affected by Katrina.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. [...] Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
–John Donne, Meditation XVII
(btw, I and my immediate family, spread across two of the affected states, are fine, so far.)
Pink Stripe WordPress Theme Designed by Joni Mueller &
Stay safe, K.
I have friends who live in flood areas and all are currently okay. But, like you, they…and I…have pondered the apathy from Hollywood. Hell, Miss O is in Illinois, she should be wringing her hands and bemoaning the lack of aid. But she’s not. And why is that?
With Katrina, she was down in Louisiana, screaming and demanding action. And now she’s nowhere to be found. Oh wait, she was at Mandela’s birthday party. I forgot.
With Katrina, there were ample warnings for evacuation. I know this because I (gasp!) watched the news and heard from friends who were being evacuated. I lost a friend/mentor in Katrina, but even she knew ahead of time of the dangers. She was a nurse and therefore a first responder who couldn’t leave. But those in the Midwest, they didn’t have the same luxury. This has been, largely, a gradually building disaster. Perhaps this is why nobody in Hollywood gives a damn. It’s not sensational enough for them.
Again, stay safe! And God bless y’all for enduring.
Comment by Joanie — June 30, 2008 @ 2:12 am
In addition to the differences you suggest, perhaps there are no celebs because of two other major differences (at the risk of sounding insensitive). First, the federal response to the Midwest flooding was 1,000 times better, and second, New Orleans flooded not due to just a Hurricane but because flood protection structures built by the federal USA Corps of Engineers were shoddy and made the city even more vulnerable than it should have been.
Comment by WateryHill — June 30, 2008 @ 9:53 am
I’m a little surprised that Brad Pitt isn’t making at least some noise about this. Isn’t he actually from Missouri?
Comment by Exyank — June 30, 2008 @ 10:58 am
I actually have to agree with the argument that the local, state and federal responses to this flooding seem to be remarkably well coordinated. What we saw with Katrina was an instance where we watched a massive part of our country get destroyed on television, and then for days it seemed like no one “in charge” was doing jack. So thousands of citizens from across the country, including celebrities, decided f’ this. I’ll bring these people clothes and food if no one else will.
I’d like to believe that our government and disaster relief agencies learned from Katrina, and that is why the aid for these areas has been so decidedly different from what we saw with Katrina. I certainly prefer this notion to the one in my cynical heart suggesting it has everything to do with who has been hurt: hard working, middle class, heartland of America type (white) people as opposed to incredibly impoverished urban (black) people.
Comment by Kati — June 30, 2008 @ 11:26 am
My article wasn’t about the federal, state, or local response, but about the response (or lack of one) from the entertainment world. I thought I made that abundantly clear, but perhaps not.
As far as fellow Americans doing what “no one else would”, we saw a huge outpouring of support immediately following 9/11, yet nobody would fault the rescue agencies in that disaster. So no, I don’t think it’s necessarily a response to doing what somebody else would not do, since average Joe American is normally quick to help his brother in need.
And there are a lot of white people affected by this flood, living in small towns and hamlets and the countryside, who are just as improverished as the black people in New Orleans were when Katrina hit, so I really hope it isn’t a race thing. If it is, we’ll hear about it when downtown St. Louis floods, by the arch (the water is already up the steps). Cedar Rapids and Des Moines have already flooded, but perhaps they aren’t cosmopolitian enough for celeb attention.
As far as #2, who do you think built the levees which failed in Missouri, Iowa, and other states? The same people who built the ones in New Orleans. So the Midwest has flooded not only because of too much snow and too much rain, but because of failing levees. So if you’ve got celebs up in arms about failing levees in one part of the country, why don’t they care about failing levees in other parts of the country?
And yes…Brad Pitt is from Missouri. Maybe they don’t get internet in his French Chateau.
Comment by k — June 30, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
#1: I’m pretty safe from floodwaters; where I personally live isn’t really in danger. We do have some problems occasionally but nothing on the magnitude of what is going on by the big rivers.
I do have family who may be directly affected soon, both personally and in business. We should be okay, though. Thanks for the concern.
Comment by k — June 30, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Brad and Angie won’t be there because Angie is a self-loathing hypocrite and if Angie’s not interested, neither is Brad.
Too many white people being affected so sadly, no one cares. Call it reverse discrimination or the white man’s burden, but it sure seems unfair.
I’ll tell you what though, when the food prices start rising people will care a little more. And rise they will.
I am glad k is safe and ultimately, that the people in these areas are wise enough to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves mostly safe. The loss of life, though tragic, has been relatively low considering the wide spread areas affected.
Thanks for another thought-provoking article k.
Comment by d — June 30, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Oh yeah, I guarantee people will be interested when the food prices rise so high that they can’t afford it. Corn, soybeans, and grain go into more products than you might think.
Comment by k — June 30, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
[...] Like Gloss Lip.com asked: Where are the Celebrities???? [...]
Pingback by What happened in Des Moines? « The RandT — June 30, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
Perhaps celebs are tired of helping people in need who when they are on the up spend time going from blog to blog to insult them.
Comment by Anon — June 30, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
In Katrina thousands of people refused to evacuate. The midwesterners just did as they were asked. Where is the looting and vandalism? Midwesterners pitched in to not only help themselves but their neighbors…Where is Anderson Cooper???
Comment by anon.1 — July 1, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Tony Stewart donated his winnings (approx $55,000) from the first nascar race after the flooding in Indiana to his hometown Columbus which was hit hard by the floods.
Comment by S — July 1, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
And as much as I can’t stand Tony Stewart, that was a very nice thing of him to do. He does help a lot in his hometown.
Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon, of the Target Chip Ganassi team, are also donating their winnings to the people in Iowa.
Wonder where Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman are?
Comment by k — July 1, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
I live in north central missouri & this is very relevant to me. Currently my brother is in Illinois helping with the relief effort. I can tell you right now it isn’t the celebrities helping & they wouldn’t be of any use besides $ contributions. Leave it to the average joes to really help each other out.
I don’t need some celebrity vulture trying to get some good pr by showing up & acting all heroic.
Comment by mike — July 3, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Mike, I gotta agree with you in that many times celebs just get in the way when they try to act “all heroic” (reference Sean Penn).
But living in the Midwest as I do, and having relatives in the flood area, I do think some monetary contributions from celebs would be nice.
But you’re absolutely right…neighbor is helping neighbor, and I think that’s great. My prayers are with you and your family. Stay safe.
Comment by k — July 3, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
D –
Reverse discrimination??? Really???!!! I love it! White people being discriminated against by other white people. AWESOME!
Thank you for your insight.
Comment by Layla — July 4, 2008 @ 2:14 am
[...] town of Winfield, Missouri, was the latest casualty in the fight against the flood, with its makehttp://glosslip.com/2008/06/30/flooding-in-the-midwest-continuesso-where-are-the-celebrities/Read “RE: Northeastern Iowa” at LOUNGE Forum… as anything.” As some of Iowa’s flooded towns began [...]
Pingback by iowa towns flooded — July 8, 2008 @ 3:53 am
[...] mean that the people affected feel any less pain. I certainly hope that there are some celebs …http://glosslip.com/2008/06/30/flooding-in-the-midwest-continuesso-where-are-the-celebrities/Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS-R) – English and FrenchSubmitter's commentary: The faces pain [...]
Pingback by faces pain sclae — July 22, 2008 @ 12:14 pm