"Hurricane Relief Donation of 6.8 Billion Won from Taylor Swift for Neighbors in Need"

"Donations Will Be Used for Rebuilding Affected Areas"

Global pop star Taylor Swift donated $5 million (approximately 6.763 billion KRW) to relief efforts for hurricane-affected areas in the southeastern United States.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 10th (local time), the U.S. relief organization Feeding America stated in a press release issued the previous day, "We are deeply grateful to Taylor Swift for generously donating $5 million for relief efforts for Hurricanes Hermine and Milton." They added, "This donation will be used to rebuild affected areas and provide essential food, clean water, and daily necessities to residents," encouraging, "If possible, please join Taylor in making a donation."

Taylor Swift. [Photo by UPI]

Actor Blake Lively, known as a close friend of Swift, and her husband Ryan Reynolds, famous for 'Deadpool,' also donated $1 million (approximately 1.352 billion KRW) to the same organization.

Swift has made several donations to nonprofit organizations during large-scale natural disasters or tragic incidents. In February, she donated $100,000 (approximately 135 million KRW) to the families of victims of a shooting incident that occurred at the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory in the National Football League (NFL). At that time, Swift wrote, "My deepest condolences and sympathy for the tremendous loss. With love, Taylor Swift."

Flooded road after Hurricane Milton.
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the southeastern region of the United States, including Florida, suffered tens of trillions of won in property damage from Hurricane Hermine that struck at the end of last month, and was hit again by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall the day before. Milton made landfall at 8:30 p.m. on the 9th on the coast of Siesta Key in Sarasota County, western Florida, then moved through the state, causing casualties and physical damage such as power outages affecting approximately 3 million households and businesses.

Milton was a Category 3 hurricane out of 5 at landfall but weakened to Category 2 within about 90 minutes and further weakened to Category 1 by early morning on the 10th. However, it left damage in many areas due to strong winds reaching 195 km/h and heavy rainfall of up to 450 mm in some regions.

Before landfall, Milton was expected to be the 'largest' hurricane to hit Florida among historical hurricanes, but it is now assessed that the worst-case scenario was avoided. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "There was significant destruction and damage due to the storm," but added, "The storm was severe, but thankfully it did not turn out to be the worst-case scenario."