Tuscaloosa, AL

I often talk about shitty things that are happening on this space I've got, but I try my best to make sure that those shitty things are paired with something you can do to make it better.

On Wednesday night Tuscaloosa, AL was almost completely devestated by several tornadoes. One recorded as a mile wide. A close colleague of mine, who has tirelessly worked for us here on the Gulf coast over the past year to recover from the BP oil disaster now needs our help.

He is an independent journalist and self claimed trouble maker for chemical companies and anyone who threatens the quality of our water. He lost his computer, camera equipment, and his Waterkeeper office. He lost a portion of his house, his son-in law lost his house, and his mother-in law is in bad shape too. Several friends have already driven up to Tuscaloosa with supplies and generators and are helping to remove the debris from John's neighborhood.

The reports look bad. Almost 300 people have already been found dead and it looks like this is rising. Red Cross put the largest number of shelters up since just after Katrina. The people of Alabama need our help. To me it seems like we hear about disasters everyday. Someone always needs our help. Someone is always in crisis. It's overwhelming at times. If you can't drive to AL and help remove debris, there are many other ways to help. Donate money, call a local grocery store in AL and purchase supplies from someone in town to pick up and pass out, send this call for help to friends and family. I'm sure you're clever enough to think of things I can't, get creative.

I'm hoping to drive up in the next couple days to do what I can. If you are interested and able to give something to help John Wathen and the Waterkeeper Alliance help the community of Tuscaloosa, please donate here. If you don't feel comfortable giving to an organization, you can always give to me and I will make sure that food and supplies make it to Tuscaloosa.


John took this footage as a deadly tornado passed over his neighborhood. You start to see the tornado at about 2minutes. Yeah, he's kind of intense. John is a good man doing good things to protect and defend our right to clean water. He is an amazing photographer and has helped those that were impacted by Katrina, Rita, and the BP oil disaster. Please take a moment to help him help his community recover.

Thanks for your help.
Renee