Trauma of Hurricanes

Posted by Anonymous at 7:09 AM, Sep. 1, 2005

Having been the coordinator for all aid to Realtors impacted by hurricane Andrew in 1992 I can still vividly remember not only the devastation, but the trauma to families who survived the hurricane. One family I had to interview before writing them an assistance check brought their two children with them. A girl of four and a boy of 6.5 years. Neither child could talk as the constant screaming through the night and the never ending fear had so traumatized them that they were incapable of speaking. Six months later the six year old boy was still receiving counseling and had not yet begun to speak. Fortunately a month later he began to slowly open up. You never forget moments like those and how hard it is for the children who really do not understand what is happening. I also remember an elderly Realtor telling me she wished she had just been left to die as she could not cope with life after Andrew - with no family left to support her and nowhere to go. Her life had just been torn away from her. I also remember the Executive Officer of the Homestead Board of Realtors coming in to our relief center with a half filled black garbage bag. That was all she had found of her home and her office - everything else had been blown away. Helping her set up a temporary office and reciving ground for Realtors in the Homestead area was a first priority.

I share these stories so that those involved with relief efforts can post stories of families who have been so desperately ravaged by Katrina. These stories will help to awake in our Realtor the compassion that is needed to open their hearts and their checkbooks to contribute to our Realtors and Association staff who have lost everything, including their homes, their livelihood and sometimes even HOPE. This is also a time for us to turn to God in prayer for only a loving God can provide the peace and understanding that is needed as hurricane victims struggle to get together some semblance of life in the weeks and months to come - seeking out basi shelter, needs and waiting for insurance adjusters to show up. Couple this with the sweltering heat and humidity and loss of dignity and you have the seeds of despair that needs to be converted into HOPE.

The South Carolina Association of Realtors has today sent $5,000 to each of the three State Realtor Relief Funds, but this is just a drop in the bucket and we are appealing to our members and local associations to send contributions in as soon as possible. The quicker we can build up these funds, the sooner help can be directed to Realtor families in dire need.

Jim Peters, CEO
South Carolina Association of Realtors
jpeters@screaltors.org