Taylor Swift Sends $1 Million to Louisiana Flood Survivors
Devastating floods in Louisiana have killed about a dozen people and left tens of thousands of people homeless, and Taylor Swift is hoping to aid those in crisis.
Yesterday (August 16), the "New Romantics" singer donated $1 million to Louisiana's state disaster relief fund. It was the least she could do, she told the Associated Press, for a community that welcomed her so warmly during her last visit.
"We began The 1989 World Tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home,” Swift said. “The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking...I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time."
The floods began on August 12 after historic amounts of rainfall and have damaged more than 40,000 homes and left 60,000 people in need of emergency relief. Thirty-thousand people have required the likes of rescue efforts to reach safety.
Swift has a history of donating to causes close to her heart. Within the last year, she's donated $50,000 to a baby with cancer and 25,000 books to New York City schools.
Still, the singer's do-goodery hasn't always been well received. In February, Demi Lovato criticized Swift's $250,000 donation to Kesha in light of Kesha's ongoing legal battle with Dr. Luke, whom Kesha's accused of sexual and emotional assault. Lovato claimed Swift's charitable efforts were just showboating, and insisted that if she really cared about the issues to which she's donated, she'd publicly address them more aggressively.
"At least I speak out about s--- that's uncomfortable to talk about rather than trying to be politically correct 24/7," Lovato wrote in an Instagram comment.
You can help to donate to flood victims via CNN.
Look Back at the Many Guests From Taylor's 1989 World Tour: