Hurricane Katrina Discussion Thread 2

This thread is for discussion of Hurricane Katrina and related information.

Comments

[TexasGal]

WHY, oh why, isn't the government flying planes or helicopters overhead and dropping food? We did it in Iraq. Rations and water. .

Posted by: NewReader
I have wondered about that too. I have no answer as to why though.

[NewReader]

Also Tulane students, anybody know what happened to them? I assume they evacuated but do not know this for a fact.

Posted by: Anna | Sep 1, 2005 12:22:59 PM
---

Hi Anna,

If you're still around, I heard on several stations that they Tulane kids were evacuated before the storm hit, and another college has taken them in. Most are flying home, but there are some international students that the college they're staying in temporarily is trying to find apartments for.

[saddened]

I am so sad and disappointed with the situation, my eyes burn too from watching so long, waiting for the government to restore order and rescue our US citizens.

There will be no amount of explanation later that will ever excuse this slow response in allowing OUR OWN to die and suffer that will do for me ....

Drop food, letters, water something NOW.

[saddened]

I am so sad and disappointed with the situation, my eyes burn too from watching so long, waiting for the government to restore order and rescue our US citizens.

There will be no amount of explanation later that will ever excuse this slow response in allowing OUR OWN to die and suffer that will do for me ....

Drop food, letters, water something NOW.

[Loni]

I find it hard to believe that some people didn't realize the magnitude of this storm. Had this happened 2 or 3 years ago, okay. Many of us remember the devastation Hurricane Andrew wrought on South Florida and that was over 10 years ago. However, did everyone forget what all those hurricanes did to the state of Florida last year? You've got a category 5 bearing down on you and you don't take that seriously? As far as FEMA is concerned, those people need to be investigated. My family was hit hard with Isabel here in Virginia and you wouldn't believe the crap that FEMA put us through. It's really scary how much power they have.

[Kathleen]

TexasGal, you are indeed a lady with a heart of gold.

farmgirl, I understand where you are coming from.
You have emotional ties to this area, an area that had a history and a way of life that was like no other anywhere else on Earth. New Orleans is the heart of our culture, it has long represented who we are. I am a "Cajun" woman, I am PROUD of who I am, I love my state, and I would not choose to live anywhere else in the world.

Many say that it is our fault because we chose to live here, but what about any other place on Earth that is prone to NATURAL disasters? Is the whole world supposed to move from those areas too? Where would we all live?

We are known worldwide for our unique culture, our hospitality, and our willingness to help anyone that is in need. It is HARD to accept what has happened and is STILL happening to our families, to our friends, to our neighbors, and to our beloved Gulf coast area--and to know that no matter what we do to help, it is not going to be enough.

Take a look at the satellite photos. To our east, our Mississippi and Alabama neighbors' coastline is gone and our much loved Louisiana no longer wears it's "boot"...those of us that made it through the wrath of Katrina with our lives intact, and still have a house are indeed fortunate and thankful beyond words, but it feels as if we have lost our very identity.

We are in a state of shock and disbelief, we are grieving, we are mourning, and at the same time, we are very angry that there are heartless and immoral people, many of whom are using Katrina as an excuse for their criminal activities that were in existence BEFORE the hurricane. They are now SHOOTING at the rescuers and are hindering the rescue efforts to save our families and our friends' lives. In addition, many of us are dealing with feelings of guilt because we DID make it through.

Emotions are indeed running high, and understandably so...and I never EVER thought I would have the heart to say something like this, but I say...check their backgrounds and if they have a police record of this type of behavior, shoot their asses on sight. How DARE they stop the rescue efforts of the thousands of innocent and many poverty stricken GOOD people who would never dream of doing such a thing to others, no matter WHAT their plight!!

Sorry, Dan..

[Kathleen]

and NOW, they are shooting people at the walmart in my town.

[GrannyToad]

Remember AbleAdvocate Dan? he wrote: A search and rescue worker has said that 37,000 body bags have been requested in South Louisiana.

And that's only there, not the whole state or the other states.

[LornaD]

Oh gosh, this guy is one of my mom's favorites from her younger years.

"Fats Domino Is Missing in New Orleans "

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_en_mu/katrina_fats_domino

""I hope somebody turns him up, but as of right now, we haven't got anybody that knows where he's at," said Embry, who has worked with Domino for 28 years. "I would think he might be safe because somebody said he was on top of the balcony."

Checquoline Davis, Domino's niece, posted a message on Craigslist.com Thursday pleading for information. Davis wrote that Domino, his wife, their children and grandchildren "didn't get out" of the second floor."

[TexasGal]

Yippee!!! Just saw on CNN that a food drop was made at the Convention Center.

[Nan]

For those of you who say the people who stayed deserve this, or that when you, THE TOURIST, visited New Orleans it was a shithole and dirty from OH...the tourists partying. Well obviously you don't have a clue. For those of us who live, lived, have history in New Orleans, I do have to say that we dread those tourists who come in and dirty up our city puking and pissing in the streets. Some of those people who couldn't leave believe it or not don't have cars or enough money for a bus ticket, or had jobs that they didn't have the privelage of leaving. At least a couple of times a year we are told NOLA is going to take a hit, and the city has been preparing for this, but there's only so much you can do. IF you know how New Orleans is set up then you would understand that it would be virtualy impossible for those with no car and not enough finances to get out of dodge. I really don't think some of you understand. I have a friend who lives on the East Bank and I'm almost positive she didn't make it out. Not because she wasn't smart enough to grasp the severity, but because neither her or her boyfriend drive and they don't have money for tickets etc. ALmost all of the people you see in the news, floating by or on rooftops or poverty stricken living in the projects some with 8 kids or grandkids, how are these peeople to get out I don't care how far in advance they knew, it's just not possible.
I know that not everyone is saying these people deserved this, but for those of you who do read above, and have some heart.

[Nan]

Isn't it sad that we've had to abandon rescue efforts to stop the gun toting looters?

[Selena]

GRANNY TOAD,

Read this, before the hurricane struck.
Estimated 40,000 would persih if hurricane continued on this path.

http://tqe.quaker.org/2005/TQE130-EN-Katrina.html

Be sure to read the embedded link-a description of the devastation that could possibly occur.

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/wetlands/hurricane2.html

A friend of mine works at the Savannah office of the Army Corps of Engineers. I'm trying to get an accurate picture from her logistics wise of the ability to get the remaining people left to safety.

25 Babies being airlifted from hospital,parents
forced to evacauate without them. Hospital beds being located in other cities.http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050831201009990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001

[Shocked]

By the grace of God they are over estimating the amount of body bags they need. I remeber our reports in NYC after the attacks, they brought in upwards of 50,000 body bags. As many as we did need, we still thankfully did not need them all.
Just a sidenote and bit of a good thing ... WNBC raised almost $9m on a local telethon last night to go directly to Katrina relief.

[Mt. Brook Mom]

I am so thankful that Katrina has come and gone..I am posting this blog to update everyone on the effects of Katrina on Mt. Brook, Alabama.
As of today there are many people here that remain without electricity. Yesterday I tried to drive through Mt. Brook (which is aprox. 11 miles in radius) to get to where one of sons lives. I found several roads completely blocked by huge downed trees with electrical wires wrapped around and completely entangled within the trees. Many red lights remain out within the city. Major work is going on to restore electricity to those who are without. I counted 10 trucks on one street working. Crews began arriving yesterday from other states to assist in restoring the electicity. It has been very hot here everyday. Yesterday it was 92 degrees. I saw many people at the grocery store buying ice...trying to save the contents of their refrigerators. Here at my house the elect. was out for 2 days...There were 363 people out of elect. on my grid.There is a private school across the street from my house that has hot wires down and has been closed all week. When the wire fell during the storm you should have seen the fire and ash that shot out of it aprox. 25 feet. on 6 different occastions making a loud electrical sound...the school drive is roped off as to keep people away from the hot wire even as I write this blog. Mt. Brook according to Alabama Power is on many spread out grids..This storm was definately worse than Ivan...I am very thankful that the sun is out here today and Katrina is long gone, history. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of So. Alabama, Mississipi and Lousiana during their recovery from this catastrophic storm...

[TexasGal]

Mt.BrookMom-Thanks for your update. It is reports such as yours that will make some people realize just how widespread the devastation is.

[Mt. Brook Mom]

6 Newborn Critical Care Infants were airlifted and transported to The University of Alabama Hospital here in Birmingham today. All needed electricity so that their incubators could operate. I do not know where the other 20 babies were being transported out of New Orlean's to.

[Mt. Brook Mom]

Thank you TexasGal..

I noticed that the air during Katrina was very warm..and smelt like Salt water fish! Werid for B'ham. The wind was loud too...with howling sounds that just made you stop and listen from time to time..we did not have the flooding during Katina that we had with Ivan...Ivan was definately a calmer storm than Katrina..Katrina
had a furious feel to it...

[Mt. Brook Mom]

AbleAdvocateDan...

Would love to hear from you...

You are in our prayers here!!!

[anchor]

mt. brook mom!
So thankful you're ok..
If you know anybody that needs assistance of any type, I may be able to help....
I can make calls to family and friends, also can use my cell phone for 3 way conferencing

this is the link to what I am offering...
but the people in New Orleans don't even know there are thousands of people opening their homes up to them... if they did..they'd be hitchhiking out of there.
Can you get this information somehow inside the city?
http://neworleans.craigslist.org/roo/94787649.html

[chantal]

I was looking for coverage, when i saw this:

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/480/ladm10208301530

it shows a black boy and it says:
A young man walks through chest deep flood water after looting a grocery store in New Orleans on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005.

and here, the same pic but with a white woman and man:

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/photos_ts_afp/050830071810_shxwaoma_photo1

Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store after Hurricane Katrina came through the area in New Orleans, Louisiana.

i am from europe, and i am not well known with Yahoo coveradge, but this seems a bit racist to me? Black people steal food from groceries and white people "find" good?
it just seems a bit strange to me :S So i decided to write a complaint to Yahoo...

[Selena]

Don't know if this has been posted.
Satellite pictures before and after.
http://www.digitalglobe.com/katrina_gallery.html

[Selena]

ANNA-

Message on message board:
Anyone from Tulane Law needs to sign up at the email directory so that Dean Ponoroff can contact you at another email address. Go to www.law.emory.edu/cms/site/index.php?id=tulane

Emory is law school here in ATL,..maybe they are taking some students in, I'll check and see if there are stories confirming that and post later.
(My niece is at Ga Tech, ATL)

[jullzs]

Hello all… I lurk daily, for months now, and just recently started lurking here (I’m usually on Natalee Holloway). I am so angry these people are shooting at the choppers, defying the law, and making it impossible for the rescue efforts to continue, however, as stated above, these people are in despair and are losing hope. I just hope the lawless idiots that are ruining it for the others get a grip and start protecting instead of hindering efforts…
Okay off the soap box…

It’s just so sad sad sad to see this happening to these people. I feel horrible for them and am doing whatever I can to help…

CA update…
I work for Southern California Edison (Electric Co.) and we’re getting the masses together… we will be sending mass relief out and the co. is “gathering the troops”. (I will be going if they let me) Our fire fighters are taking up collections (massive) all over the state and a convoy of special troops have left yesterday of the elite fire and rescue teams (kinda like the Navy Seals of Firefighting) … All of the local amusement parks have huge donation centers set up (easy for everyone to find) and the Red Cross is there loading up. I live right next to Camp Pendleton (Large Marine base). I have quite a few friends there and they are briefing the troops on going there. So hang in there NO… the USA won’t let you down… Prayers to all of NO…

[Karen5]

Wonder how the looters figure they're going to get the tvs out of the city? On busses to the Astrodome? Even on the Mississippi coast, there are so few gas stations reported open, you couldn't get gas to drive off with the stuff.
By the way, there are reports of heavy rain in the gulf region, as if the folks outside with no shelter aren't miserable enough.

[skeeter]

VA State Troopers heading to New Orleans.

[GG]

Its time for our National leaders to speak out regarding the lack of timely response on behalf of our Federal Govt in the South. On tuesday, when the hurricane was reaking havoc on three states in the south, our President was shaking hands in California, and did not start to agressively adress the situation until wednesday, at least fiour days too late. Many thousands of American lives could be lost in the next few days alone if the situation in the south is not brought under control immediately. Our Nation has had four years to prepare for such an event as Hurricane Katrina, and yet the response to the situation is woefully tardy, and woefully indequate. I call on all Americans to speak with one voice and demand the Federal Government to triple the troops (30,000 is nowhere near enough) and resources to the area immediately. Minuites are precious, and our American brothers and sisters are dying needlessly of starvation and dehydration.

"NEW ORLEANS - Thousands of desperate, stranded residents begged for help Thursday as conditions deteriorated here, with heavy rain compounding a tense situation that led to fights, fires and fears for the safety of emergency responders.

Officials said thousands more National Guardsmen were being sent to the city, and Congress planned a special session Thursday night to approve emergency aid. But across the city, residents complained that aid was not arriving and a local official blamed the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“This is a national disgrace,” said Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans’ emergency operations. “FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control,” Ebbert said. “We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims but we can’t bail out the city of New Orleans."

"We have got a mayor who has been pushing and asking but we’re not getting supplies.”
He said the evacuation was almost entirely a Louisiana operation. “This is not a FEMA operation. I haven’t seen a single FEMA guy.”
“This is a desperate SOS,” Mayor Ray Nagin said in a statement made available to CNN. “Right now we are out of resources at the convention center and don’t anticipate enough buses. Currently the convention center is unsanitary and unsafe and we are running out of supplies for 15,000 to 25,000 people.”

As of thursday there were four...FOUR! helicopters conducting search and rescue in the entire city of New Orleans, and those are being shot at. This is truly a National Disgrace of tragic porportions, and the situation needs to be adressed NOW, before thousands more die needlessly.

We have the resources, the manpower, we just need someone to actually use them.

[Rosebud]

GG...agree with you wholeheartly!! I am so digusted with the way our gov. has responsed to the aid of everyone that was hit by this hurricane.

Maybe, if La. Ms. and Al changed our name to some foreign name, those people would have been helped sooner.

At least New Orleans is getting some help, but the people on the Gulf Coast, as of yesterday, has yet to recieive any help.

My family lives in Gulf Port are were able to leave Tuesday. My sister states that the pictures do not even began to tell the story. I read that many of the people along the Gulf Coast area died because they did not have the money to buy gas for their cars , too bad the USA doesn't take care of their own first.

My brother-in-law and best friend live in New Orleans and lost everything, But they were lucky to have the means to escape in time, unlike a lot of the people in New Orleans.

I think the most distrubing site I saw on the news last night was when a reporter caught 2 female New Orlealns policemen loading their carts along with looters at a Wal-mart store.

[007Scarlett]

Well, this may sound harsh, but the helicopters need to return the fire. This is America, not some 3rd world country engaged in a civil war. Everyone WILL be helped. I agree that help should have already been there. The fault lies with both FEMA & the local EMA's for not implementing a plan at the onset, AND with the citizens who chose to remain there. People do that too often in the world today. They take no responsibility for their own actions, and then expect the rest of society to bail them out when they get in trouble. I feel terrible for the people who did leave and cannot return. I know what it's like to be far from home and not able to get back. It makes one hurt all over.

[Selena]

The situation is being compounded by panic, justifiably so for the people still there, whatever their circumstances.

Please call your local Red Cross, United Way,or Salvation Army or donate to the cause of your choice.

Money,food & water, medicine or blood,even $10.00 dollars will help someone in need.

After Hurricane Andrew and Hugo tons of undistributed clothing were bulldozed over. Please donate baby items, food diapers, etc, or items as circumstances deem neccessary. Diapers and baby food are always appreciated.

[anchor]

Selena - Are you near there?

[par3]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong...but where is all the U.S. celebrity help that was offered to the tsunami victims? I have seen donations from industries and networks, and some items donated from a few celebs, like Morgan Freeman, but not the onslaught of the "usuals". I have seen that a telethon is in the works, so that the less affluent people of the U.S. with budgets stretched by gas at $3-4 can donate, but multi-millionaire celebrities donating any of their money. Does that bother anyone except me?

[Selena]

Rosebud,

check the gas prices for Stockbridge GA. Yesterday 5.87 a gallon. I'm not kidding. I waited in line with two police cars waiting to break up any fights.

The attendents were taking money at the pump to prevent driveaways.

when my sister bought gas in Morrow Ga the price was 2.79 as she pulled in, it changed to 3.09 when she was able to get it pumped.

[Selena]

anchor
I evacuated for Hugo, complete nightmare.

[Selena]

I'm south of Atlanta anchor and worked with some of the entities named. I have a call in to Salvation Army to get info out re: people displaced to ATL area.

[Jullzs]

I know the country singers are getting in gear to host a huge concert for the NO people... Tim McGraw, etc.. it's been all over the radio here...

When 9/11 hit I was in Indianapolis for school and lived about an hour away. As I was driving home I saw gas prices being changed as I drove... around $5/gal... We boycotted those stores that raised the prices...

[Selena]

If your grocery store is taking donations please give a little extra. Every little bit counts.
Publix in the SE is taking donations at the register.

BBL

[anchor]

I have a call in to Salvation Army to get info out re: people displaced to ATL area.

Posted by: Selena

Oh Thank You Selena!!!!
Those in New Orleans have no idea about the homes and other aid being offered! They'd be hitchhiking out of there if they knew!
I'm terribly worried about the health epidemic that's going to become deadly if they don't dispurse before sickness.
And education, and food, and and and and and!!
.sigh......
We have got to get the word to them.

[TexasGal]

If your grocery store is taking donations please give a little extra. Every little bit counts.
Publix in the SE is taking donations at the register.

BBL

Posted by: Selena
Krogers, TomThumb and Albertsons is doing it in my area.

[FloridaPatty]

Concert for Hurricane Relief announced:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9146525/

[JL]

"WE WILL DONATE ALL PROFITS TO THE RED CROSS TO HELP THE HURRICANE VICTIMS WHEN YOU BUY THE BEST OF 67 MOB" NOW ON SALE AT...

I CAN'T POST A LINK HERE, BUT GO TO (CDBABY.C O M) AND PUT 67 MOB IN THE SEARCH

[FloridaPatty]

Concert for Hurricane Relief

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9146525/

[DeltaRio]

Posted by: JL | Sep 1, 2005 6:35:48 PM

Hey JL, are you JL in the group?

[Dee]

An old man in a chaise longue lay dead in a grassy median as hungry babies wailed around him. Around the corner, an elderly woman lay dead in her wheelchair, covered with a blanket, and another body lay beside her wrapped in a sheet.

“I don’t treat my dog like that,” 47-year-old Daniel Edwards said as he pointed at the woman in the wheelchair. “I buried my dog.” He added: “You can do everything for other countries, but you can’t do nothing for your own people. You can go overseas with the military, but you can’t get them down here.”

This is quoted from someone dealing with the hardship mothernature has turned apon New Orleans.

Doesn't it make you think? How protected are we, relying on help from our government. There are thousands of people in our army that are still here in the US, but where are they when you need them? Well, they take their commands from non other than the commander and chief, our president. So who do we need to blame for the thousands still stranded? I have an idea...

[TexasGal]

For those in the D/FW area:
Homes are needed to take families with special needs children. The Red Cross can't place these families in the refugee shelters because of special care needs. If you or members or your church would be willing to house one of these families, please contact Sergio Ramos at (817) 927-1991 ext. 217 to give this information to the Dallas Red Cross office.

[anchor]

texasgal - I know some families in the area willing to accept and facilitate!!!

[anchor]

also...will austin work?

[anchor]

are you there texasgal?

[anchor]

ok...
abby in austin will take couple and 1 special child.

[TexasGal]

also...will austin work?

Posted by: anchor
I would guess that he would know who to forward Austin information on to. If I hear anything in the meantime, I'll post.