Editorial: Arizona steps up to help storm victims

Three years ago, Arizonans opened their hearts and their homes to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Millions of people on the Gulf Coast lost everything they held dear once the devastation hit. Americans set aside their petty grievances and day-to-day nuisances to lend a hand to their fellow citizens in a time when it was needed most.

Times of crisis can bring out the best in people. Three years ago, many Katrina refugees found temporary homes with our Southern Arizona friends and neighbors. Many people didn’t even think twice.

Today, we see that same resolve tested as Hurricane Gustav continues to make its way along the Gulf Coast.

When it first hit on Sunday, initial reports had Gustav swirling at a Category 4 level, with winds topping 145 mph.

Once it made landfall in Louisiana, it was downgraded to a Category 2, but was still doing major damage.

It doesn’t appear as if Gustav will wreak the kind of havoc Katrina did, but the storm season is far from over.

The New Orleans Saints have elected to open their season in the Superdome on Sunday, but it might not be long until they’re forced to play in a safer climate.

Once Gustav subsides, Hanna, Ike, Josephine and Karina may quickly follow. Those in charge of protecting the affected states have a much better system in place to deal with Mother Nature, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

Arizonans must be on high alert to prepare for possible assistance services.

Gov. Janet Napolitano says Arizona’s Emergency Operations Center was activated through 6 p.m. Monday to coordinate requests for assistance.

Evacuation shelters have yet to be activated, but if the storms continue to batter the coast, expect that to change.

Napolitano says while response systems in the Gulf Coast have improved since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the nation can’t risk underestimating what may be needed this time.

Dozens of brave Arizonans have ventured toward the storm to help with the necessary evacuation procedures. At a time like this, there is no such thing as being over-prepared.

It’s a difficult decision to cut ties from one’s home. These storms don’t simply knock down buildings and trees. Those affected by these storms have families, memories, entire lives tied to that region.

Arizonans obviously can’t replace these losses, but we can help to form a support system to help ease the pain.

In a time when partisan attitudes run high, Americans need to put those Republican and Democrat labels on the backburner. This is a time when Americans desperately need the help of fellow Americans.