e-Claire

The Mind Boggles

the mind boggles

Speaking on A-B-C’s `Good Morning America, Mayor Ray Nagin says it could be 12 to 16 weeks before anyone will be allowed back in [to New Orleans]. Besides the flooding, he says he’s concerned about disease issues because of dead bodies in the water.

Governor Kathleen Blanco tells A-B-C that looting is also a severe problem but the focus right now is on survivors.

...It could take a month just to pump out the water.

That’s December or January—of 2006!

Since the Red Cross has had, shall we say, some clouds on its reputation, and I don’t see GHWBush and his side-clownkick with the cigar heading out on a road trip anytime soon, I’m wondering if y’all know of a reputable outfit involved in disaster relief in the Soggy South?

1. FWIW, I rode out IVAN here in P’cola last year.  Had no safe water for 3 or 4 days, no electricity for about 8 or so, and completely impassable streets for some time right after the storm.

   Repair people of every type showed up here from as far away as Canada, Oregon, and all over the East Coast to aid in the restoration.  Power to my place was finally availed by line crews from Texas, and at my son’s house, the crews were from Tennessee.

   Every day trucks/vans came by with bottled water and hot meals from Red Cross, military-affiliated organizations, church groups, and just do-gooders in general.  The city & county had distribution centers all over the place for ice & water & MREs within 2 days of the storm. 

   Heavy equipment operators came in from at least half the 48 contiguous states.  And last nite, utility crews from this area finished up their work from Katrina’s hissyfit and hit the road for points west.  I had no TV for 2 days, but I kept a portable radio on and heard hundreds of people calling in to volunteer

   
   1.  their time
   2.  their skills
   3.  money
   4.  food
   5.  clothing
   6.  equipment
   7.  their homes

   and so on.  I can’t remember how many offered shelter here for people who had come here and got stuck (bridges out or out of gas or out of money).  Some freely welcomed children, pets, and people with special needs.

   Now that can’t really happen Louisiana or Mississipi ‘cause their governments and communities haven’t developed the organizations that Florida has over the past few years’ disasters.  But I’d guess that private citizens are offering time, food, shelter, and so on all the way from Texas to Tallahassee. 

   I’ve never really liked the ARC, but I gotta give ‘em credit for their work hereabouts during Ivan and Dennis.

   Incidentally, the house right behind mine STILL doesn’t have a roof (from Ivan last fall) and piles of debris still sit in various places throughout the area.  Thousands of residents are STILL living in portables and temp trailers while their homes are being renovated.  Takes time and one helluva lotta effort to come back after a cat 4 direct hit.  Nawlins is a special case that will be historic ‘cause the city was built and perpetuated in a place where Ma Nature wanted a lake.

   Posted by  on  08/31/05  at  12:17 PM

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