My heart is so very heavy tonight for New Orleans, Southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The stories are absolutely heartwrenching. They have so much to deal with, for such a long time to come. HEARTBREAKING!!!

Betty

Betty, I share your thoughts. Let's just hope the American people open their hearts as well as their wallets as they did for the Tsunami victims in December. On our own turf, and so many of the poor seem to be the victims as in Asia.

New Orleans holds such a special place in our hearts; we went there on our honeymoon and at least once a year for the last 24 1/2 years. I'm just sick about the devastation.

We were without cable after the aftermath of Katrina hit here last night, until less than an hour ago. I'm just now seeing live reports, and it's such a nightmare. I can't imagine New Orleans being able to come back from this.

It is so heartbreaking! I feel so badly for all the victims and can't even imagine what the future holds trying to put their lives back together. I'm sure Americans and others around the world will give the same type of support to the Katrina victims as we all did for the Tsunami victims.

Yes, it is sad. Why did they wait for the last minute to order an evacuation? No matter, what is done is done. I am sure the city will come back and be more beautiful than ever. Many people will need to put their lives together.

If you have a chance to check out the pictures, the damage in New Orleans is nothing compared to the Mississippi River delta along Highway 23.

Betty K, it was so nice of you to start this thread after all you went through last year.

I've been watching the news since I got home today and it is hard to comprehend the devistation. After we went through Charley, Frances and Gene last year, I thought I had an idea of what a hurricane was like, but it was NOTHING compared to what they are going through. It will take years to rebuild these people's lives. My heart just aches for these people.

So very sad

Marc,
Maybe it's a little "But for the Grace of God" that I am feeling!
I am so sad for all those people!

Betty

Marc, remember, people were being evacuated a couple of days before the storm struck, (traffic was steady, but not slow) and gosh knows there were weather experts on TV warning about the worst, that's why I thought they were spared the worst until today when the levees broke and the water began to rise again. I'm in the hurricane belt, and how many times I have housed my friends evacuated from the island for no reason in the end, never a home damaged, just a good excuse for a party....now I know. History brings complacency. The sad thing is that so many of these people had not the means to get out, thus the huge crowds in the super-dome.

And you're right, Mississippi got the worst due to the fate of having the eye of the storm to the east of them. And they are probably the poorest population. That tape of the man who lost the grip of his wife on the roof of his house and was wandering around with grandchildren in a daze brought tears to my eyes.

I share your opinion of the resiliancy of the human spirit, and especially coupled with the American passion to find the means to survive and thrive. They WILL get through this with the generosity and support from all of us. Having been involved somewhat in a personal nature with the rebuilding of the victims of the Tsunami on a very small scale, I was heartened by their appreciation that others around the world were there to help.

Here is a link to Kevin McDonald's website, the same guy who started a sunami fund that ended up being quite huge, 9,292.12, all from people like you and me.

I appreciate Kevin's efforts as it is so easy to just PayPal him the money and he does all the work setting up the fund. The money is going to Americares again.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund

That tape of the man who lost the grip of his wife on the roof of his house and was wandering around with grandchildren in a daze brought tears to my eyes.

I cannot watch that one more time - gut wrenching

It really is incomprehensible! My former college roommate's sister lives in Bay St. Louis, MS, just east of ground zero; she did evacuate, but what to go back to? NO - evacuate to where? I can't even imagine the logistical nightmare, but what's the alternative? I went to college in Mobile, another disaster!

Pam, we also had a honeymoon in NO, but haven't been back in many years after a not so "prime time" experience one summer, a long time ago now.

Joanna, I agree about the man, who lost his wife.....

To whom to donate for maximum good???

These are pictures of Mississippi River Delta:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/crawbabe_nanna/album?.dir=99de&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/crawbabe_nanna/my_photos

I hope no one stayed behind as this area was the first landfall. The photo I posted earlier was St Bernard's Parish; they took the brunt and were flooded long before levee broke in west part of NOLA; St Bernards was exremely close to the track.

We are on the phone with our friend who live in Louisana. He works for one of the refineries. Everyone in NO and Miss. will pretty much lose their ability to work as well as they have lost their homes and everything they own. He has been more than fortunate that he had NO damage. The storm missed his area.

He lives in Lake Charles and the town is full of the evacuated people. This is SO much worse than any one has imagined and the planning for a disaster of this magnitude just isn't sufficient for what has happened.

My neighbor next door is a Fireman with LA County Swift Water Rescue. He is leaving his family to go work on rescue effort.

So much of those who have been hurt are very poor and have no insurance or any other means with which to recover from this. I hope those of us who do have will be able to sacrifice some to help out. I hope that those in other countries who have been the beneficiaries of our good will can reciprocate to those of our nation who cannot help themselves.

Yes, Mississippi had more immediate damage. The very lifeblood of that state consists of gambling money, and all the coastal casinos were damaged/destroyed. It's horrendous. Hopefully the casino powers that be will rebuild. We are betting that the state allows on-land casinos after this; those beachfront ones were always in danger of just this.

But the tide does recede on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; New Orleans' effort to plug the breech in the levee has failed and the city is flooding. Since it sits below sea level, all the cemeteries consist of above ground vaults. The water main was severed, they have no potable water. There is so much contamination, the whole city is under water to an extent, and disease is going to be rampant. There is looting, and people are shooting each other.

I've been there where that destruction is and where that flooding is happening. It's heart-rending. Venice (in one of the pictures Marc linked to) is where Mark has fished so many times with his friends.

As far as evacuation, there are so few main arteries in and out of those cities. And Katrina jogged almost at the last minute; she was supposed to go inland in the Florida Panhandle.

I hope that those in other countries who have been the beneficiaries of our good will can reciprocate to those of our nation who cannot help themselves.


I hope so too Kathy!!!!!

As much as I would hope for that, I think we must care for our own at this time. At the risk of being non PC, can you imagine some nice rich French guy pulling out his wallet and giving to this effort? Eek, hope I am not offending, as I am headed for France on my next cruise! Please, take with a grain of salt.

Pam, I agree. At least MS and AL are now dry and rebuilding can begin. NOLA will be hurting for weeks and months.

Same in FL; although many still don't have damamge fixed from last year, at least they are in livable conditions.

I feel sorry for the law abiding citizens of NOLA and the Mississipi River Delta region of Louisiana; the looters, they can shoot them all.

Marc: re: looters, I think you speak for a lot of us law abiding types who the media would not want to put on the news. You're not PC, just like I wasn't a couple of posts above. You just get to that age usually....and it really has nothing to do with our other political convictions, that can be on one side or the other.

Olivia,

That would be my dream that others would reciprocate. In reality, I don't expect that. Sadly, there is so much anti-American scentiment in the world.

Time for us all to count our blessings, say a prayer for, and help support those who have been so tremendously and tragically affected by this storm.

Denise, I certainly did not mean to put politics or other thoughts into this, but may have inadvertently. You are right in your post. We all just need to count our blessings, and just support and give as we can...to the max.

I didn't take what you posted adversely, Olivia.

So much going on in the world, politically and personally in the lives of so many. Seeing this tragedy unfold is an eye-opener as to what is truly important and urgent. Tragedy puts everything into perspective - or at least it should.

I've been glued to the TV just watching this horror. I grew up in the Caribbean in Hurricane Alley but nothing I've been through in hurricanes in PR can remotely compare to this.

But we're the USA and we are used to rebuilding for our own and others so I'm sure we'll be up to the task.

As far as the looters are concerned ditto what Marc said. I don't mind that much if they are taking food, but jewelry and sneakers?

Amen, Maria!!!

Unfortunately, there is a certain element that takes advantage of situations such as these. It's a free-for-all excuse. I just can't understand how those people can live with themselves.

Americans have often faced disasters and adversity and come through for themselves and each other with shining colors. We'll all rise to the occasion again.

If you want to see an example of the good side of people in this disaster, go to www.nola.com. At the bottom of the page you will see "What's Happened to My Neighborhood." I have perused many but have spent much of the day viewing "St Bernard and Plaquemines" as those are the two most impacted Parishes. It is filled with people listing names of people they are looking for, posting of pictures, posting by those letting others know they are ok, and people on the inside passing news to those on the outside for posting to the world. It is a wonderful example of people coming together to help each other out.

One other story on the www.nola.com site I recommend reading is to click on "Read Tuesdays Time-Picayune" then click on "Flooding Wipes Out Two Communities." Again, a story of people helping out both friends and total strangers.

I agree with all of the opinions already stated here. Alan and I stayed in a B&B in Bay St. Louis about two years ago. What a lovely, historic place. I read in the paper that the largest storm surge was recorded there. I can't imagine that there will be much left. And, how will they ever drain the water out of NO? So sad.

Karen, thank you for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund site. Tom and I both feel strongly about this as we sit at home on our new comfortable couch with our healthy 4 legged family, watching our big screen TV with full tummies. We really feel the need to help in our own way.

Thanks Karen, I always get concerned about which sites are legit and which are not.

Marcie, I just love the fact that we can PayPal a donatation. I really appreciate Kevin, who takes the time to figure out all the details to make it easier for us to donate.

It is also fun to check the total on his page each day, it makes me feel good to see so many caring people who just want to help those in need.

Remember the LA Riots? All the looting? The reason for it was because they could get away with it! Same here. It's sad that those who are looting have no moral fiber. There is a survival/mob mentality. The police and rescue forces need to restore the infrastructure. Those who participate actually delay the return to normality. I do hope they get caught and punished - or shot!

Mother Nature can be so brutal. It's been so sad and heartwrenching watching the news, especially of that man who lost his grip on his wife's hand. Like Marcie said, we are truly blessed to be sitting comfortably in our homes, surrounded by our loved ones.

And to those rioters, Marc and Kathy said it best!

Agreed! It's such a study in contrast to read about the strangers helping strangers, and then looters shooting at police who are trying to keep the city safe. My heart goes out to everyone affected. Thanks for the links both to the donation site and to the New Orleans site.

I just heard that the city of Houston has opened their hearts and arms to accept the refugees from New Orleans and Louisiana area. God bless them!
Betty & Nancy, you can be proud of your city!

Betty

My sister lives in the NOLA suburb of Destrehan LA and went to Madison MS. which is part of Jackson. Now she has to move on as Jackson is having lots of problems.
She said enough is enough and decided to just go to Minnesota where her in-laws live. She does not think she will be able to go home for at least a week from today if not longer.

This whole thing is so sad. They have been warning about New Orleans' vulnerability for years, and now it has come to pass. As for looters, people have been doing this for thousands of years, but that doesn't make it any less disgusting.

Looting has long been one of the most disgusting crimes on the books. It's a moral crime of kicking someone when they are down. A lot of shooting and hanging went on of those that were caught throughout history. What would you do if you found someone rummageing through what was left of everything you ever had.

I remember one guy's line during the 65 Flood in Denver. Looting could be cured by a visit from Dr. Smith and Dr. Wesson.

Just once I would like to say to a looter as they exit the store with their large screen plasma TV - just where & when do you plan on being able to watch anything on what you just stole? Then I could get shot and be another statistic.
These people make me furious!

I agree on the looters....

I heard that they are considering bringing in cruise ships to house people....can you imagine.

I am almost to the point where I can't watch this any more--it reminds me on 9/11 in that as much as it breaks your heart, it's hard to take your eyes off it. I agree on the looters--they should just leave them all in NO to fend for themselves--maybe the alligators will get them. And Olivia, one of my early thoughts was the same as yours...I wonder if all those countries who complain when we don't give them enough aid (for disasters or whatever), will cough it up for us this time. Don't count on it.