Hurricane Katrina!!
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Mara
Super_Ideal_Rock
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We just got back from the Gulf in FL a few days ago, they thought that the original Cat 1 version of Katrina was going to hit our area...I was a bit freaked out. We got a call saying that ''you don''t have to evacuate yet''...I thought...WHERE do you go when you evacuate??
Well then Katrina turned and went away from us but we still got 3-4 days of horrible weather. It was very hot, humid, cloudy, rainstorming, thunderstorming the whole time.
I would much rather take an earthquake ANY DAY over any of these other natural disasters. The funny thing was the FL people were very wide-eyed about earthquakes, as we sit there buffetted by a 3 minute thunderstorm of sheeting rain. I was so happy to get home where it''s not a wet blanket of mist over you the minute you step outside and where the heat is dry and we don''t see a drop of rain til November.
The morning after we got home (we got in at 2am on Monday morning) is when we saw the New Orleans news, we read about it on CNN.
Nature can be VERY frightening!!
Well then Katrina turned and went away from us but we still got 3-4 days of horrible weather. It was very hot, humid, cloudy, rainstorming, thunderstorming the whole time.
I would much rather take an earthquake ANY DAY over any of these other natural disasters. The funny thing was the FL people were very wide-eyed about earthquakes, as we sit there buffetted by a 3 minute thunderstorm of sheeting rain. I was so happy to get home where it''s not a wet blanket of mist over you the minute you step outside and where the heat is dry and we don''t see a drop of rain til November.
The morning after we got home (we got in at 2am on Monday morning) is when we saw the New Orleans news, we read about it on CNN.
Nature can be VERY frightening!!
Diamonds4Me
Brilliant_Rock
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Matatora, thank goodness you are safe! I was worried when we hadn''t heard from you after that last post.
Mara, I''m glad you didn''t have to go through that mess. I feel just awful for those that did. I went through Hugo but that wasn''t anywhere NEAR what this was. I can''t even begin to imagine what it must be like. Matatora, when Hugo hit our area four trees were up-rooted onto our house.
It was quite scary! It hit a week before my birthday...talk about a birthday present!
Mara, I''m glad you didn''t have to go through that mess. I feel just awful for those that did. I went through Hugo but that wasn''t anywhere NEAR what this was. I can''t even begin to imagine what it must be like. Matatora, when Hugo hit our area four trees were up-rooted onto our house.
lovelylulu
Ideal_Rock
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My heart is breaking. I just moved from new orleans to the DC area at the beginning of the summer. I went to law school down there and spent an amazing three years in that lovely city. I have been obsessively watching the news, tracking the storm, talking to the many, many, many friends that still live there...on monday night, i went to bed actually believing that new orleans had been spared somewhat the full wrath of the storm. i just can''t believe what those people have to live through, are living through and now on top of the natural disaster, a social diaster. i just can''t believe it.
MissAva
Ideal_Rock
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Sorry about that. I had no power...so yea no PS. People still dont have power and the trees are down everywhere, they are trying to cut them all up so they can move them from the roads but it will take time. It is so sad to see all the massive old trees being carted off.Date: 8/31/2005 1:06:50 PM
Author: Diamonds4Me
Matatora, thank goodness you are safe! I was worried when we hadn''t heard from you after that last post.
Mara, I''m glad you didn''t have to go through that mess. I feel just awful for those that did. I went through Hugo but that wasn''t anywhere NEAR what this was. I can''t even begin to imagine what it must be like. Matatora, when Hugo hit our area four trees were up-rooted onto our house.It was quite scary! It hit a week before my birthday...talk about a birthday present!
ivanadiamond
Brilliant_Rock
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Hey Everybody,
I am sorry for the philanthropic based post, but after reading about the harrowing accounts of some of our fellow countrymen, I felt a need to help in some way. I am forwarding on a link to Red Cross and F.E.M.A in hopes that by making access to donation centers/organizations easier that maybe some of you would help.
This is the first time in the history of the United States that a large metropolitan center has been entirely displaced. Give what you can, because if you were on the other end of this tragedy you would hope that your fellow citizens would help you.
http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm#donate
Fact: The United States government and its private citizens have donated more money for world wide relief and recovery from natural disasters. How much money do you think the citizens of other countries and their governments will donate to the relief of those U.S citizens affected by this hurricane?
I am sorry for the philanthropic based post, but after reading about the harrowing accounts of some of our fellow countrymen, I felt a need to help in some way. I am forwarding on a link to Red Cross and F.E.M.A in hopes that by making access to donation centers/organizations easier that maybe some of you would help.
This is the first time in the history of the United States that a large metropolitan center has been entirely displaced. Give what you can, because if you were on the other end of this tragedy you would hope that your fellow citizens would help you.
http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/resources_katrina.shtm#donate
Fact: The United States government and its private citizens have donated more money for world wide relief and recovery from natural disasters. How much money do you think the citizens of other countries and their governments will donate to the relief of those U.S citizens affected by this hurricane?
jorman
Brilliant_Rock
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I cannot stop watching the news. I cannot believe what these people are going through. It is horrible.
I pray that all our PSers are safe and that all of the stranded are rescued.
New Orleans will never be the same.
My heart goes out especially to the needy who already have so little.
I hope they get the levee blocked soon.
I have alot of family in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. My Louisiana relative are safe, but we can''t get ahold of the Mississippi relatives because the phones are down.
I pray that all our PSers are safe and that all of the stranded are rescued.
New Orleans will never be the same.
My heart goes out especially to the needy who already have so little.
I hope they get the levee blocked soon.
I have alot of family in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. My Louisiana relative are safe, but we can''t get ahold of the Mississippi relatives because the phones are down.
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Jaded Gem posted a list of relief agancies to which people could contribute in this thread in, "Around the World". I wanted to make sure that everyone contributing to this thread had access to it.
Thanks, Jaded Gem.
Deborah
Thanks, Jaded Gem.
Deborah
Thanks for the link Ivanadiamond.....I actually logged in to do the same so no apologies!
Here is another link with a few others charities http://www.boston.com/news/weather/hurricanes/evergreen/how_to_help/.
Sorry....I meant to add,...I know everyone gives in their own way but here is a way everyone can support victims of Hurricane Katrina for FREE - just a mouse click!
http://www.thehungersite.com
PS: While you''re there, scroll down a little bit and click (for FREE) for Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest, and Animal Rescue
http://www.thehungersite.com
PS: While you''re there, scroll down a little bit and click (for FREE) for Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest, and Animal Rescue
Blue824
Brilliant_Rock
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Yesterday at work I ran into a woman doing research at our facility and ended up finding out she was from New Orleans...and she had been up in Chicago for two weeks and therefore had no opportunity to board up her house, save her pets, any sort of valuables or anything. She said she was so happy she had taken her years of research materials on her trip, because those years of hard work would've been lost. But basically had no word on her house or anyything. Today I saw her again and she said they finally got ahold of someone that said their house just had damage from flooding, but was still intact. I guess she's not downtown New Orleans but just outside of the city. She said her elderly friends a couple towns over had to break through their roof with a hatchet to be rescued. I can't even imagine that!
I've read so many accounts that are very general, wide spread problems, that this got to me:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/31/scene.blog/index.html
its a blog from cnn reporters in the area. I guess this got to me more than other things because its individual things that have happened, instead of general details. So upsetting, especially in the first one about a woman who can't get to her dialysis. Can you imagine? Making it through the most horrific part and then having to have that happen?? Very upsetting.
Mightyred, thanks for the link! I'll be passing it onto my friends. Obviously if we can all make donations we can, but that is a great simple way to continue the support in addition to everything else.
I've read so many accounts that are very general, wide spread problems, that this got to me:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/31/scene.blog/index.html
its a blog from cnn reporters in the area. I guess this got to me more than other things because its individual things that have happened, instead of general details. So upsetting, especially in the first one about a woman who can't get to her dialysis. Can you imagine? Making it through the most horrific part and then having to have that happen?? Very upsetting.
Mightyred, thanks for the link! I'll be passing it onto my friends. Obviously if we can all make donations we can, but that is a great simple way to continue the support in addition to everything else.
Kamuelamom
Brilliant_Rock
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Thank you. Money & supplies are needed. If you donate to the Red Cross - put a notaion that it is for the hurricane relief of Katrina.
This isn''t a couple of trees on houses or power outages - those are INCONVENIENCES. The situation in the N.O. area are of DEVESTATION - widespread. People may not be able to return to their homes for months - then many probably don''t have a home to return to. Think about YOUR whole town being evacuated - let alone a major metropolitan city.
I hate to be a downer - but please understand the situation.
UmmTankMan2
Rough_Rock
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The New Orleans disaster was not entirely unexpected. It''s a city below sea level on the coast of an active hurricane region. Yes, it was a ''random'' natural event, but we''re not neandrathal hunter-gatherers at the mercy of nature anymore. New Orleans had an elaborate system of levees, floodwalls and massive pumps to protect it from the water that surrounds it. Unfortunately the Bush administration drastically slashed funding for the New Orleans Hurricane Protection Project for the last two or three years to the point where much of the work stopped due to lack of funds and contractors went unpaid, according to The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District.
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/response/HURPROJ.asp?prj=lkpon1
There are few news stories about this, most notably at www.editorandpublisher.com, and a brief mention in the New York Times recently. Suddenly the cost of the Iraq war becomes more... real. Then again, for perspective, as the death toll may reach ''into the thousands,'' rememeber that we knew a hurricane was coming for days and New Orleans was vulnerable. Less than a year ago the people over by Indonesia had no warning at all, and the death toll was over 280,000. As for international aid, Canada, France, and Switzerland have offered to send rescue teams, aid and some cash donations. Venezuela has offered to send workers with water, food and fuel to the affected area for reasons generous or political. President Bush said on Good Morning America that he doesn''t expect much international help "because I haven''t asked for it." He''s probably right because it''s more of a logistics problem than lack of resources.
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/response/HURPROJ.asp?prj=lkpon1
There are few news stories about this, most notably at www.editorandpublisher.com, and a brief mention in the New York Times recently. Suddenly the cost of the Iraq war becomes more... real. Then again, for perspective, as the death toll may reach ''into the thousands,'' rememeber that we knew a hurricane was coming for days and New Orleans was vulnerable. Less than a year ago the people over by Indonesia had no warning at all, and the death toll was over 280,000. As for international aid, Canada, France, and Switzerland have offered to send rescue teams, aid and some cash donations. Venezuela has offered to send workers with water, food and fuel to the affected area for reasons generous or political. President Bush said on Good Morning America that he doesn''t expect much international help "because I haven''t asked for it." He''s probably right because it''s more of a logistics problem than lack of resources.
jorman
Brilliant_Rock
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My immediate family lives in Houston and my cousin''s husband is a Houston Fire Fighter. They e-mailed me this morning to tell me that people are arriving from New Orleans and they are just wondering the streets asking for shelter, food, gas vouchers, or clothing. It is so sad. They are moving the Superbowl "refugees" to the Astrodome.
I feel so sad for all the little kids and the elderly. There''s not much they can do for themselves. They depend on the comforts of their homes to shelter them and now there aren''t any homes. So sad!
I feel so sad for all the little kids and the elderly. There''s not much they can do for themselves. They depend on the comforts of their homes to shelter them and now there aren''t any homes. So sad!
curlygirl
Ideal_Rock
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Very well said and I couldn''t agree more.
Perhaps I''m a little sensitive because I have friends down there who have had to abandon their homes with nothing more than a small bag of clothing to their names. I have another friend who hasn''t seen or heard from his wife and children since Monday. They don''t know when they can go home and have no idea if they even have homes to go back to or if they will ever see their loved ones again. The whole thing breaks my heart and makes me sick to my stomach. My prayers are continuing to go out to all those affected by this horrible tragedy.
gingerBcookie
Brilliant_Rock
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I'm in Houston and there are a lot of projects going on trying to bring relief to the "refugees," the largest being converting the Astrodome to a shelter. Our schools and universities are opening their doors to refugee students and we have been asked to offer up rooms to board these students while they are here.
Although I understand why people are bringing up certain issues, I think that the focus right now should be on helping these people and getting them back on their feet as quickly as possible, and not trying to find someone to point a finger at. There is plenty of time for that once the immediate crisis of bringing health care, food, water and shelter are taken care of. Priorities. My dad's aunt and uncle made it out of N.O. in time and are here now, thank goodness, but their home, bsiness, livelihood are comepetely destroyed (fishermen). The energy right now should be focused on rescueing, salvaging, and rebuilding. It's tempting to start placing blame, but I feel like its just a waste of energy and time that can be put to use in more productive avenues.
Although I understand why people are bringing up certain issues, I think that the focus right now should be on helping these people and getting them back on their feet as quickly as possible, and not trying to find someone to point a finger at. There is plenty of time for that once the immediate crisis of bringing health care, food, water and shelter are taken care of. Priorities. My dad's aunt and uncle made it out of N.O. in time and are here now, thank goodness, but their home, bsiness, livelihood are comepetely destroyed (fishermen). The energy right now should be focused on rescueing, salvaging, and rebuilding. It's tempting to start placing blame, but I feel like its just a waste of energy and time that can be put to use in more productive avenues.
appletini
Ideal_Rock
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I posted this on another thread and am posting again...
I''ll probably post this on several katrina threads, but here goes...
1. One girl was supposed to get married in NOLA in a few weeks, but fortunately her family''s home in a nearby town was spared
2. Another girl''s mom & sister are now staying here with her and don''t plan on moving back. Her mom will get a job here and her sister will enroll in school
3. A thrid girl has 11 adults, 8 dogs, & a cat now staying with her and her husband in a 3 bedroom house, her father''s business has been wiped out, they don''t know about their house
I''ll probably post this on several katrina threads, but here goes...
for those of you who want to donate you can go to the american cross website and donate online www.redcross.org
I''m in Houston and have several sorority sisters whose families are from New Orleans.
1. One girl was supposed to get married in NOLA in a few weeks, but fortunately her family''s home in a nearby town was spared
2. Another girl''s mom & sister are now staying here with her and don''t plan on moving back. Her mom will get a job here and her sister will enroll in school
3. A thrid girl has 11 adults, 8 dogs, & a cat now staying with her and her husband in a 3 bedroom house, her father''s business has been wiped out, they don''t know about their house
Those of us in the local alum club are donating gift cards for grocery stores, target, clothes, etc to help them out. While I was at target tonight I saw quite a few refugees purchasing the necessities that they need.
My compnay *had* an office in downtown NOLA, and now are trying to get everyone to H-town, they have set up an internal website for Houston employees to open their homes to the Louisianna employees (I work for a large oil company).
I''m going out of town for holiday weekend with my BF and all his friends and their wives, we feel so guilty b/c we feel like we should stay and volunteer. I plan on helping out at the astrodome or something next week. I''m so proud to be part of city that is so willing to help others with open arms and hospitality.
Please keep all these people in your prayers...I can''t imagine loosing everything at once, and not knowing the status and location of loved ones.
Oh Apple, what a heavy toll. They are all in my thoughts.
I heard today some good possible news from my friend''s family. They think their house may be ok--they live near the zoo which is 10 feet above sea level and apparently ok, so their house might be too. Of course it could have been looted or might be being lived in by someone, but they don''t care about that. They happened to be visiting their kids (my friends) in CA when this all went down by coincidence....so amazing that the ones who had the means to get out and still may have NOTHING to their names are the lucky ones. Their daughter was also getting married there in a few weeks and that''s not happening. The other good news is they think they have found their dogs. They were being boarded at the vets in NOLA while they were in CA and of course couldn''t get any word at all. TOday they have found out that the vets put all the dogs in an air conditioned van and got the heck out of dodge, so now they will endeavor to get them to them in CA since the family''s not going home--whatever that will be--anytime soon.
WOW.
I heard today some good possible news from my friend''s family. They think their house may be ok--they live near the zoo which is 10 feet above sea level and apparently ok, so their house might be too. Of course it could have been looted or might be being lived in by someone, but they don''t care about that. They happened to be visiting their kids (my friends) in CA when this all went down by coincidence....so amazing that the ones who had the means to get out and still may have NOTHING to their names are the lucky ones. Their daughter was also getting married there in a few weeks and that''s not happening. The other good news is they think they have found their dogs. They were being boarded at the vets in NOLA while they were in CA and of course couldn''t get any word at all. TOday they have found out that the vets put all the dogs in an air conditioned van and got the heck out of dodge, so now they will endeavor to get them to them in CA since the family''s not going home--whatever that will be--anytime soon.
WOW.
Mara
Super_Ideal_Rock
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The saddest thing for me is that after everything that these people have gone through, is to read that they are turning on each other. Rioting, looting, shooting, RAPES. Human nature at it''s ugliest. I also read a news bit yesterday where it said they are not allowing people to take their dogs on the busses, one police officer had to take a dog from a little boy who ''cried until he vomited''. The officer said he didn''t know what would happen to the dog. I would never leave Portia behind even if it meant I couldn''t get on the bus. Some might not agree but I could never leave my pet behind, especially if there was no set plan for where she would go to be safe, and how I could get her back.
Mara, I''m with you. Maybe a canine life is tiny and insignificant in the face of this ungodly devastation, but imagine having NOTHING left but the love of a pet dog--maybe that''s your only remaining link to home or to a lost loved one--I''d hold on to my dog, period. So sad.
(To that end, I got an e-mail from the ASPCA re: helping animals affected by Katrina. Of course, there are PEOPLE who need help desperately, but for those interested, here is a link. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_tristatenewsalert&JServSessionIdr010=2nqao1s201.app24b#1 )
(To that end, I got an e-mail from the ASPCA re: helping animals affected by Katrina. Of course, there are PEOPLE who need help desperately, but for those interested, here is a link. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_tristatenewsalert&JServSessionIdr010=2nqao1s201.app24b#1 )
Kaleigh
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denverkat
Rough_Rock
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I just wanted to thank those of you that were praying for my family- I''ve been so busy serving as a "switchboard" for friends and family whose (504) numbers are down, I''d forgotten to come back to report. We finally located the rest of my family members- they scattered from Arkansas to Alabama, although a few uncles had to really be convinced to leave, thank god they did! We think my parents'' home likely survived the water, but we also know that the looting and armed mobs are rampant in our area of the Westbank. In the end, it''s just stuff, though, and I know that my family and friends are safe and that''s most important. Hopefully, now that help seems to finally be arriving in the city, things can start to be brought into some kind of order. We will just have to be patient.
I want to know why people think it''s the Federal Government''s job to reinforce the levee''s? I personally think it''s New Orleans and the state of Louisiana''s job to continue to support the city that is built where no city should be built. When the French built the city, the local indians basically told them they were nuts, that it floods there, but they did it anyway.
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pearcrazy
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Since I started the thread I wanted to update on DH''s family in the area. His folks were able to get back home on Wednesday afternoon and were relieved and thankful to find that their home is relatively undamaged. Just a few missing shingles and a partially blown down fence. Much to their surprise they had a working land line and my MIL was in tears-- so overjoyed that their home was spared--their dream home filled with a lifetime of memories was safe. They navigated around downed trees to DH''s sister''s home and were just as thrilled to find it with only minor damage as well. The levees in the parish held and the pumps functioned properly to keep their area pretty dry. Some areas of town had about 6-8 inches of water that has since receeded. The website for the parish is up and running and I just read that the boil order on the drinking water has been lifted and that power has been restored to about 70% of the town including the area where my in-laws live. Unfortunately, their working land line is now down again and cell service is also down so we haven''t spoken with them since Thursday afternoon.
We feel so lucky and blessed to have all of our family members accounted for and safe.
We feel so lucky and blessed to have all of our family members accounted for and safe.
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jcrow
Ideal_Rock
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i live 2 hours away from new orleans. i am finally able to briefly get online (at work- our internet and phones are routed through gulfport). i wanted to say thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers! please keep them coming. everything is a mess and it''s pitifull. they''re is so much going on that hasn''t made it to the national news. it''s just devastating...
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