August 31, 2021 (CNS) -- Catholic dioceses and organizations are mobilizing to help victims of Hurricane Ida as soon as conditions allow. Thousands of people in Louisiana and Mississippi were affected by Hurricane Ida -- one of the most powerful storms to hit the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The hurricane tore through much of Louisiana as a Category 4 storm on Aug. 29. The following day it headed toward Mississippi and then Tennessee, where flooding was the main concern.

As levees in Louisiana seemed to have stood up to Ida's wrath, many on social media urged the public to keep in mind that help would be needed in small agricultural towns, not just for damage to New Orleans. 

"Our local #disasterresponse teams will be ready to hit the ground when it's safe to do so," tweeted Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, a few hours after the storm hit New Orleans.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, in an Aug. 30 message on its website and social media channels, said its schools "will be closed until further notice." The New Orleans archdiocese announced, too, that its schools and main administrative offices, would be closed until at least Labor Day.

In a Facebook video Aug. 30, Peter Finney, editor of the Clarion Herald, newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, said Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, who remained at his residence during Ida, was trying to contact pastors to assess the extent of the damage to churches and schools.

Bishop Gregory Parkes is monitoring the situation and is urging the community to faithfully pray for the people who have experienced devastating loss, as well as the first responders, healthcare workers and emergency personnel who are leading search, recovery and relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to the families and individuals along the Gulf Coast who have once again been traumatized by a natural disaster. May God’s peace and comfort be a solace to you,” said Bishop Parkes.

Also, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has a Disaster Relief Fund that can be used for critical needs following a natural disaster such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Bishop Parkes will soon be deciding where to send funds to benefit the victims of Hurricane Ida.

“Our parishioners are generous, and their support of our Disaster Relief Fund brings hope and Christ’s love to people who are in great need,” said Bishop Parkes.

To show your support for victims of natural disasters (present and future), we invite you to contribute to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund here: https://www.givecentral.org/dospdisasterrelief

Article written by Rhina Guidos, with contributions from Teresa Peterson

Caption: Fran Tribe sits with her dog, Dave, outside a home in Houma, La., Aug. 30, 2021, after Hurricane Ida made landfall. (CNS photo/Scott Clause, USA TODAY Network via Reuters)