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(Source: Reuters)The devastation of Hurricane Katrina is only now being fully realized. Officials predict the death toll will surpass that of September 11.



Higher education did not escape the horrific storm. Campuses across the Gulf Coast are inoperable. Students are displaced, and in many cases are finding welcome hosts on campuses throughout the U.S. Loyola University in New Orleans is closed for the semester, while the neighboring University of New Orleans has relocated to Baton Rouge. Tulane has temporarily moved its operations to Houston.

Many months will pass before that region can resume some state of normalcy. Quite possibly, the City of New Orleans will never return to what it was.

In the meantime, Americans continue to support relief efforts. More than half a billion dollars has been donated thus far. To put that in perspective, consider this from the Chronicle of Philanthropy:

The pace of giving is unprecedented in recent American history. In the 10 days after September 11, Americans donated $239-million to charitable causes, and in the 9 days after the tsunamis hit, major American relief groups raised $163-million.

Still, the contributions do not yet come close to the total amount raised in the wake of those disasters. After the 2001 terrorist attacks charities raised more than $2.2-billion and U.S. charities have collected nearly $1.3-billion for the tsunamis.Here's hoping we surpass those totals. Please give to the Red Cross and help the victims of Katrina.