Hurricane Katrina Disaster Updates

[JBean]

Great info JBean. Thanks to your sister and her good work.
I keep hearing this too: send money, money, money, and more money. No donation too small. Trucks are going to have a hard time getting in the area with donated goods. On the Red Cross site they explain that they give victims vouchers to go to sotres tob uy clothing and such in their own sizes and styles. It lets the victims have some snese of control in their rebuidling their life.

My sister is one of the people one might see on TV news in the past updating the public on many of the disasters that have occurred. Point being she has seen and dealt with many many disasters over her career. She is just in awe of this one. That alone says a lot to me.

 

[Shadow205]

I spoke with my step-son this morning who lives just outside of Jackson,MS. He said they had no major damage to their home but there are trees down everywhere. No electricity, no phone(landline) and cell phone service comes and goes. He was out trying to find some ice for his family. He has small children and is trying to find milk for them. He said that what stores are open have very very long lines. I tried to get him to just load up the family and come here but he is hoping that he will get to return to work soon and doesn't want to leave because of that. At least they are safe.

 

[NewMom2003]

Great info JBean. Thanks to your sister and her good work.
I keep hearing this too: send money, money, money, and more money. No donation too small. Trucks are going to have a hard time getting in the area with donated goods. On the Red Cross site they explain that they give victims vouchers to go to stores to buy clothing and such in their own sizes and styles. It lets the victims have some snese of control in their rebuidling their life.

That's what I thought this morning when I found out that my company is sending in trucks. They are still trying to work out the logistics of getting the supplies in and I believe I heard someone say they are working with someone from the LA governor's office. The main things being sent in are drinking water, toilet paper, and non-perishable food items.

 

[Ntegrity]

A family from Metairie stopped by my office looking for the Red Cross (who recently moved out of this complex). I felt so sorry for them. They've lost everything, can't go back home, and don't know where to turn for answers. It just broke my heart.

My husband is with the school system in this county. He said they're taking in all refugees from Katrina and finding room for them in classrooms here. They're not worried about school records or other such nonsense and will give these students free meals for as long as they need to be here. It seems everyone is pitching in to help in any way they can.

 

[kato]

That's what I thought this morning when I found out that my company is sending in trucks. They are still trying to work out the logistics of getting the supplies in and I believe I heard someone say they are working with someone from the LA governor's office. The main things being sent in are drinking water, toilet paper, and non-perishable food items.

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

 

[Miss Daisey]

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

kato, call your local chapter of the Red Cross. They will give you information on what you can do as a volunteer.

 

[kato]

kato, call your local chapter of the Red Cross. They will give you information on what you can do as a volunteer.

Thank you Miss Daisey. Good idea. DUH! Why didn't I think of that?

 

[concernedperson]

The next big problem in trying to help is no gasoline. Electricity is out in almost all of Mississippi so if people didn't have enough in their tanks they are stuck wherever they are.

We found a house that can accommodate a family of six but we can't get them out of Hammond to Atlanta. :doh:

 

[Jules]

The next big problem in trying to help is no gasoline. Electricity is out in almost all of Mississippi so if people didn't have enough in their tanks they are stuck wherever they are.

We found a house that can accommodate a family of six but we can't get them out of Hammond to Atlanta. :doh:

Concerned - my sister-in-law and her family were in Hammond. Is there any way they can come to the Houston area? Perhaps I can help them out here. The roads heading this direction are fine.

I'd be happy to help if I can.

 

[Miss Daisey]

Looks like aid will have to be taken to the storm victims instead of them trying to get out.

Navy sending 4 ships to Gulf coast.http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050831/D8CAPLL81.html

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

From an email at work:

1) The State of LA is NOT accepting any INDIVIDUAL assistance from any government, volunteer or civic organization. Any organization, individual or group who attempts to enter the State of LA without expressed authorization will be stopped and turned around at the State Lines. I urge you to communicate this to your respective volunteer and civic organizations. All requests for direct assistance, government, volunteer, civic or otherwise will be coordinated through SREMAC, The State Operations Center, and the State of Louisiana. Let's be clear that everybody understands that martial law has been declared in the devastated areas, and individuals who disregard and do not heed the instructions will be subject to detention or arrest. My official guidance is that is not the time to be trifling or arguing with the LA State Police at any border roadblock.

2) Those of you sheltering evacuees or who have evacuee hotels: The State of LA is NOT allowing any residents to return. Any person attempting to return will be turned around at the borders and sent back. That being said, I would urge each of you with evacuees in your hotels and motels to contact your local Red Cross rep and immediately prepare to get in the long term shelter business. Word this morning is it may be at least 21 days or longer before folks are allowed to go home. We have seen a continuing trend overnight and this morning where evacuees are leaving hotels and seeking public shelters as they are running out of money and resources. The Red Cross, to include the local chapters, are aware and are prepared to open, staff and support these shelters on a long term concept. For those of you who may open a shelter, be sure and look at the long term schedule of the facility, as we are having problems having to move folks around, and it is a logistical problem. Pick the right facility the first time.

3) Incidents of price gouging at hotels need to be reported immediately, direct to the State Operations Center at **********. You need to have the name of the facility, and the information on the evacuee or individual making the complaint. (If anyone needs that #, I will supply it depending on circumstances - they don't need a lot of other calls right now!)

4) Somehow the 911 systems in LA are rolling over to 911 emergency dispatch centers in TX. Several 911 Centers are getting 911 calls out of NO and other devastated areas. Have your 911 operators take the info just like they would if it was a local call....

Just FYI, what we're hearing here in our Districts....

 

[amandab]

Air Force One is flying over the disaster area

 

[concernedperson]

La. emergency management just stated the water has quit rising. Good news. Stabilized for now.....barges trying to get to the site for more plugging.

 

[Lesleegp]

I am in the upper east tennessee area. Gas stations are closing left and right.........they are out of gas!!!!! My SIL has been to 3 stations trying to fill up and can't find one that has any gas to sell! YIKES!

 

[kato]

For those in the Houston area who might want to volunteer here is the local number for the Red Cross: 713.526.8300 and they will take down your info. such as what you want to do and go from there. The line is very busy.

 

[Details]

How much more did the water rise before it stabilized? Are those rooftops still showing? There were so many people out on them, and under them.

 

[tybee204]

Gas topped $3 a gallon here this morning but is still available. Families have been arriving in Savannah seeking assistance. This disaster is so wide spread it is hard to grasp.

 

[kato]

Gas topped $3 a gallon here this morning but is still available. Families have been arriving in Savannah seeking assistance. This disaster is so wide spread it is hard to grasp.

I saw $2.99 here on my to work this morning and I almost crapped!

 

[Pepper]

I didn't say he just decided to go on vacation. He is the Commander in Chief and he should be in his office, his elected office, during a time like this. I know he has been in touch with governors, but I just don't think it looks good when he's ON vacation doing it! He did declare it a disaster area before it hit. I didn't say he didn't. I wasn't expecting him to do a photo op, just said I didn't need to see one of him doing it. Many people should have gotten out, if they could have, but some needed help getting out. I guess I just feel helpless and I do expect more out of him at this time and of our government. God knows we pay enough for all these experts, government officials, etc. that we should not have this much devastation or death. Maybe I'm naive, but that's how I see it.

I'm not a big Bush apologist, so I would say this about whoever is President - Republican or Democrat. Being President is a 24/7 job. There is no such thing as a vacation. His office follows him no matter where he is - in Crawford, on AF 1, in Vail, CO, or in Egypt! FYI, he as left TX and returned to DC, BUT the fact that he was in TX and also San Diego, doesn't diminish his ability to be in constant touch with whatever is going on in the world. Many of us work remotely from "virtual" offices, and we don't have nearly the communication devices available to the President of the United States!

 

[tybee204]

Me to Kato. Im going to find a good used scooter today to get around on.