Unprecedented disasters call for international aidSFlb

The late summer of 2017 may well go down in the annals of Western Hemisphere weather history as among the most destructive on record. Mother Nature unleashed an unrelenting one-two-three-four punch, wreaking unparalleled havoc, killing hundreds and injuring thousands.

First in late August came Hurricane Harvey, which roared onto the Texas Gulf coast as the most powerful and destructive storm to hit landfall in this nation in 12 years. Its violent path from the Caribbean into Texas and Louisiana left at least 83 people dead and caused damage estimated as high as $200 billion.

Just as relief efforts there mobilized, Hurricane Irma, the most intense Atlantic hurricane to strike the United States since Katrina in 2005, unleashed a new wave of massive fury. She wrought catastrophic damage, whipping the Caribbean region and Florida. More than 100 died, including at least 58 in the United States, and a swath of $65 million in damage lay in its wake.

Then last week, the Western Hemisphere was socked anew with a double whammy: Hurricane Maria and a major earthquake in central Mexico. Maria outdid Harvey and Irma as the most intense Atlantic hurricane to hit landfall in the U.S. mainland or territories since Camille in 1969. At least 40 deaths are blamed on Maria so far, and flooding and wind damage have literally left Puerto Rico in the dark with full restoration of power many months away.

Then south of the U.S. border Monday, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted the Mexico City metropolitan area and environs with a vengeance, killing at least 300 people and inflicting at least$10 billion in damage.

This unprecedented sequence of back-to-back-to-back-to back natural disasters leaves many mystified. Michael Brennan, forecaster for the National Weather Service, said he’s “starting to run out of adjectives” for this year’s hyperactive hurricane season.

PERSEVERANCE AND RESOLVE

Fortunately, those in the path of these destructive events have been persevering, showing steely resolve toward restoring a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos. In storm- and earthquake-battered areas of North America, residents and volunteers from across the nation and world have rushed in to help.

Americans have opened their wallets, giving more than $400 million over the past month to disaster-aid agencies. More such help will be needed as rescue and recovery operations continue in Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Government assistance also plays a critical role. The United States has responded quickly and robustly to the latest scenes of devastation in Mexico and Puerto Rico.

But more such public assistance from the international community will be needed to help these struggling disaster sites We recall in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina, the worst Atlantic hurricane in deaths and damage, struck U.S. shores, the degree of such support was overwhelming. Nations as diverse as the United Kingdom and Russia poured dollars, equipment and volunteer personnel into the Gulf region. World organizations such as the European Union, NATO and the World Health Organization contributed more than $800 million for relief efforts, according to the Washington Post.

Collectively, the assault by Harvey, Irma, Maria and the Mexico temblor over the past month eclipses the damage Katrina inflicted 12 years ago.

The international community should recognize as much, rise up anew and respond with equal speed and generosity.