As I write this, Hurricane Harvey has left 31 people dead, 50,000 homes damaged or destroyed and $24 billion of property affected.

In addition, countless people will join those who already mark Aug. 29 as the date their homes flooded by either Hurricane Katrina, Gustav or Isaac.

I always feel helpless during these disasters.

The little I do seems like nothing compared to the enormity of the need.

My daughter, Monique, is the one in my family most prone to spring into action. I believe it’s because her own home flooded when she was pregnant with her first child during Hurricane Isaac.

I was in Lafayette, where I had evacuated with three other daughters and a granddaughter when Monique called from LaPlace.

“The water in the street is high,” she said. “It will go down.”

Later, “The water is in my yard and close to my front door.”

“It will go down.”

Still later, “I’m standing in water.”

“Go in the attic and bring an ax!”

She didn’t have an ax and didn’t go in the attic, but was rescued by boat a few hours later. I think that’s why she will always yearn to help flood victims. (And why she panics when it rains.)

2 Corinthians 1:4 reads that God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Whether it’s donating items or money, when we each do a little, it adds up to a lot. May we all do something.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.