Hurricane Katrina Disaster Updates

[kato]

WOW they just announced that the gas line from the Gulf that supplies Georgia with 80% of its gas has closed down. The Govenor has asked Georgians to cancel Holiday Driving plans and conserve fuel. Mr Tybee just phoned to say that big gas lines are forming at the 3 gas stations on Tybee Island as they are likely to run out of gas by the end of the day.

Oh, crap! Just what you need.

 

[LadyLuck]

I don't know why Brett Favre would say what he said, especially since a lot of us live nowhere close to the disaster areas. He then added that people could make donations to his charity (which normally is for children), and he would make sure that the money got to the right places. I have no doubt that he will.

However, I have seen the Salvation Army and Red Cross in action and really like both of these organizations.

I saw a spokesperson for Baton Rouge Area Foundation asking for items. They are housing a lot of people in shelters and he said they need bedding, baby supplies, water and food now. They said you could contact them at their web site.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Our LE office (w/ 140 officers just in THIS office) has 440 gallons of gas left in our tank - lady just called to get our normal 9500 gallons delivered...and they can't! The gas distributor doesn't have that much to deliver. She said they're even getting calls from MS asking for deliveries to there! For us, 440 gallons is just a few days worth of gas for officers. Uh-oh. I'm sure we'll get some, but not a lot....

 

[Casshew]

uh, Cass...I’m not saying we should SHOOT the bas*ards

oh I know that... sorry, I just quoted your post to keep on the topic of looting - but I didn't mean you :blowkiss: I was just talking in general.

 

[Dark Knight]

I haven't seen anything on volunteering in person yet. I've just seen places where money and clothing, etc. can be donated.

Go to the thread I started about donations for Katrina, the link in the thread also gives numerous opportunities to volunteer.

 

[Mabel]

The Pentagon has announced that 10,000 additional National Guard troops are being sent to NO.

 

[Dark Knight]

Sorry if this was already posted, but I couldn't get caught up, lol.

President Bush is releasing some of our national petroleum reserves to ease the supply crunch due to Katrina, which has already brought prices down, some.

 

[Casshew]

See Shower SInger's thread/idea on housing the hurricane victims at closed military bases - all that housing already in place, it's an amazing idea.

 

[Mabel]

Sorry if this was already posted, but I couldn't get caught up, lol.

President Bush is releasing some of our national petroleum reserves to ease the supply crunch due to Katrina, which has already brought prices down, some.

I also heard yesterday that Japan is sending us some of their reserved fuel, but there doesn't seem to be any mention of that anywhere now.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

TxDOT assisting:

Beaumont District will be stopping any construction work on I-10 to help traffic flow as buses begin moving evacuees from NO to Houston, which is already under way.

TxDOT travel info center on westbound I-10 will be open for the next 24 hrs while shuttling evacuees are being moved to Houston. TxDOT employees will be helping to provide needed items such as bottled water.

I-10 continues to be closed east of Baton Rouge, but is open from the TX state line to Baton Rouge, I-12 north of NO is also closed.

The best eastbound routes from TX: I-20 from TX to MS state line or US 84 from TX state line to MS state line. (US 84 is closed in MS from Collins to Waynesboro.)

A list of road closures in LA, MS and AL has been posted to the TxDOT website, www.dot.state.tx.us

General info from Red Cross: 1-866-GET-INFO

 

[Lesleegp]

WOW they just announced that the gas line from the Gulf that supplies Georgia with 80% of its gas has closed down. The Govenor has asked Georgians to cancel Holiday Driving plans and conserve fuel. Mr Tybee just phoned to say that big gas lines are forming at the 3 gas stations on Tybee Island as they are likely to run out of gas by the end of the day.

Welcome to my world.

We've called all of our employees that drive company vehicles and advised them to fill up NOW wherever they are and to carpool whenever possible. The gas station across the street went from $2.79 to $3.10 a gallon in about two hours and the line of cars is around the block. They aren't even posting the price on the big sign anymore. He is closing at 5 (usually open til 10) because he doesn't want his attendant to be subject to violence or anything if people get angry.

 

[BarnGoddess]

uh, Cass...I’m not saying we should SHOOT the bas*ards (with all due respect to Barn Goddess), I was just hoping that my fairy tale notion of Americans would hold up. Talk about a dream world. Yeah...I look around & see the bars on our windows, the alarm system, the gun under the register (slapping self on head now). O.K...I’m out of La-La land. We’re a bunch of savage carnivores. It’s just sad...that’s all.

I take no offense. I agree we shouldn't be shooting looters (at least on camera, LOL). It is sad to think that the first thing some people think of in a situation like this, is what can I go grab? I remember riots back from the 60's. Newark, New York, Chicago, DC, Miami. Most I remember were ML King related. The one in Miami was because a white cop shot a black man. The looting was rampant. In those days, the decision was made to shoot. I remember the mayor of Baltimore gave the order and suddenly the looting stopped. It can't go on much longer without some innocent lives being lost because of the thoughtlessness and lawlessness of some people. A soldier or policeman is going to get killed.

 

[Shadow205]

The Hubby just went out to fill up our truck with gas. $3.09 for regular. Holly crap! I heard on TV that it will be $4.00 a gal. very soon.

 

[Details]

I take no offense. I agree we shouldn't be shooting looters (at least on camera, LOL). It is sad to think that the first thing some people think of in a situation like this, is what can I go grab? I remember riots back from the 60's. Newark, New York, Chicago, DC, Miami. Most I remember were ML King related. The one in Miami was because a white cop shot a black man. The looting was rampant. In those days, the decision was made to shoot. I remember the mayor of Baltimore gave the order and suddenly the looting stopped. It can't go on much longer without some innocent lives being lost because of the thoughtlessness and lawlessness of some people. A soldier or policeman is going to get killed.

I think they have to shoot. And I think it won't be considered an outrage if it is broadcast - people are outraged by looters. Shooting someone going for food - that'd be outragous. Shooting someone going after TVs, after being told to stop NOW - I think it would be OK. Make it a warning shot first, most looters will stop right now if there's any real resistance like that.

 

[Ntegrity]

It can't go on much longer without some innocent lives being lost because of the thoughtlessness and lawlessness of some people. A soldier or policeman is going to get killed.

A cop in Mobile, AL, was shot in the head yesterday by looters. I'm all for shooting anyone who is looting during a crisis like this one. I think they were planning to use rubber bullets on them, which is probably a good idea -- for starters.

 

[lorann]

These looters know they aren't going to be arrested and taken to jail - there isn't any jail. Overhead shots may deter them but if looters are also armed, then a shootout. Innocent people will be hurt. Wish I knew an answer. Getting them all out of there, check them for guns like they did before entrance to the dome, may be the only answer. If they refuse to be checked, they get to stay there with their loot.

 

[heavenlydaze]

oh I know that... sorry, I just quoted your post to keep on the topic of looting - but I didn't mean you :blowkiss: I was just talking in general.

I know that, Cass...I'm just worried. Paul just called from his cell. He's headed out now in the van to take the kids to Freeport, Fla. The humidity in Vancleave is horrible and Deja (youngest) isn't feeling well. He says he has enough gas to get there & is hoping he has enough to get back. He's leaving the gas cans at the house with Tammy for the generator. He sounds pretty up-beat, but I can tell he's worried. He says they faired better than most, but I think they're kind of in shock. Tammy works for Northrup-Grumman ship builders at the Pascagoula ship yard & they went over there awhile ago. The office where she worked is history. They actually let them walk through and she found a pic of Jesse (middle child) floating in the water. Paul works on one of the oil rigs, and my God, what are they going to do? If it's this bad near Gulfport, the people in New Orleans must think they are in hell above earth.

 

[Ntegrity]

He's headed out now in the van to take the kids to Freeport, Fla.

That's just 15 minutes from where I live!!!

 

[nanandjim]

...I agree we shouldn't be shooting looters (at least on camera, LOL)...

I say that all the looters should be controlled using whatever means necessary.

 

[Casshew]

These looters know they aren't going to be arrested and taken to jail - there isn't any jail. Overhead shots may deter them but if looters are also armed, then a shootout. Innocent people will be hurt. Wish I knew an answer. Getting them all out of there, check them for guns like they did before entrance to the dome, may be the only answer. If they refuse to be checked, they get to stay there with their loot.

Very good points lorann.