How To Help Louisiana Flooding Victims And Families: 9 Ways To Donate, Give And Volunteer As Recovery Starts

Extreme flooding over the weekend in Louisiana led to a federal "major disaster" designation and the rescues of more than 20,000 people in places like Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa and Livingston. And it wasn't over yet.

Sunday night, Gov. John Bel Edwards warned residents of still-rising rivers, NBC News reported. Monday morning, thousands of Louisiana residents were waking up in shelters, unsure whether their homes had been destroyed by rushing water. In some places, even more rain was expected.

"I've never seen anything like this before," 41-year-old Barbara Manuel told the Associated Press.

The crisis was particularly devastating in light of the approaching 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed the Bayou State in late August of 2005. President Barack Obama approved emergency funding for recovery efforts related to the floods Sunday night, but you don't have to feel helpless as you watch photos of damaged houses and flooded highways dominate your Twitter timeline — you can help.

Whether you're near or far, here are nine ways to help Louisiana recover from the floods, with ideas from CNN, NOLA.com and KSLA:

Donate to or volunteer with the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, which will provide flood victims with counseling, food and other items, here.

Check out the Louisiana State University's Zeta Phi Beta sorority's GoFundMe, which is aiming to raise $10,000 and disburse it to students impacted by the flooding, here.

Give money to the American Red Cross. On this page, simply use the drop-down menu to earmark your money for the Louisiana floods. Or text LAFLOODS to 90999 to automatically send the organization $10.

Designate your next check to the Salvation Army for the "August 2016 Gulf Coast Floods" or text STORM to 51555 to donate online.

Drop off items like diapers, pillows, toiletries, clothing, car seats, mattresses, gift cards, stuffed animals, pet food and water bottles at collection points like Christ the King Men's Club in Terrytown, The Daily Advertister in Lafayette, CrossFit Roux in Metairie and the Town Hall in Pearl River. See a full list of locations accepting donations here.

If you're local, foster a cat to help the no-kill shelter in Denham Springs. The Animal Rescue of New Orleans is coordinating the efforts.

Email nauck@crt.la.gov to help out with Volunteer Louisiana, which has already identified certain communities that need aid after the floods.

Buy school supplies — notebooks, glue sticks, pencil bags, etc. — for children and deliver them to state Sen. Ryan Gatti's office in Bossier City. More info here.

Support businesses supporting flood victims. Verizon, for example, is letting people make free calls and charge their phones at their stores in Louisiana. Musician Meredith Meyer is donating 100 percent of her album sales to recovery efforts, and Parker Madison Designs is sending some of her profits to GoFundMe.