TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through August 31, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Sep. ~ Nov.: Free Expressions...: HURRICANE: ARCHIVES: Archive through August 31, 2005 users admin

Author Message
Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 3:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
This was in my paper today:

http://www.sun-herald.com/newsarchive2/083105/ch5.htm?date=083105&story=ch5.htm



Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 3:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
There is a doctor on the radio from I believe the Hyatt in the French Quarter, he is from Chicago, was there for a "convention" the drug company that sponsored it reassured the participants it was a cat 1 hurricane, and no problems... he is detailing the progression of deteriation and it is truly horrifying. He said that the Superdome is only one of ten evacuation centers there are over 30,000 people... the superdome has had severe problems, including battery and rape, he said he assisted in care, and one ten year old was helicpotered out last night, she was beaten and raped.

wgnradio.com

Jmm
Moderator

08-16-2002

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 3:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jmm a private message Print Post    
Does anyone have any information on Poplarville, Mississippi? A friend from work was on the phone with relatives there when Katrina hit .......... she says she heard a scream and then nothing. She hasn't been able to get in touch with them since.

I told her I'd ask and see if anyone knows anything about how Poplarville rode out the storm.

Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Babyruth a private message Print Post    
Not sure if this link has been posted yet:

FEMA--How you can help

"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Voluntary organizations are seeking cash donations to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states, according to Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. But, volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency.

“Cash donations are especially helpful to victims,” Brown said. “They allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. Cash donations also allow agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods. Donated money prevents, too, the prohibitive cost of air or sea transportation that donated goods require.”

Volunteer agencies provide a wide variety of services after disasters, such as clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling, sheltering and food."

<more at above link, including list of agency phone numbers to call to offer help>

Emeraldfire
Member

03-05-2003

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 4:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Emeraldfire a private message Print Post    
I'm so sorry for your friend Jmm, we haven't heard anything here. They all are definitely in my prayers.

Thank you Twiggyish! My sister is in BR and hasn't had electricity since the hurricane and the temperature there today was 101.

I have had to evacuate before for a hurricane and thought I would go nuts and that was only for a couple of days. It's just so hard to know these people are not going to be back to "normal" for months.

On the upside, our news just reported that the school superintendent in our parish just said that all of the children in the shelters here will be put into our local schools. He said they would provide uniforms, supplies and transportation for all of them. That will help the children have some sort of normalcy hopefully.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 4:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Our school districts here are working on educating the kids here. Of course, I am sure those kids are just thrilled to death! LOL

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Hi Guys, just getting in from the Welcome Center. I'm just going to post some thoughts here to get my mind to rest so hopefully I can sleep.

Welcome Center is right along Interstate 10, the main road into New Orleans. We were heartened to see a huge amount of busses on their way to New Orleans to pick up evacuees. Late this afternoon we received about 7 of them. We are being told that we may be a resting point. Today we served over 1000 meals. For some victims, this is the first real food they've had to eat. Today the closest hotel accommodations we were finding were in Shreveport, a four hour trip from here.

Today, here's the two families who will always live in my heart.

One family came in late morning, husband, disabled wife and traumatized 10 year old daughter. They had been in their attic since the hurricane, got out with the clothes on their back. They had the foresight to park their car at parking lot at a higher level so they were able to get out. Walked through neck high water full of diesel and gasoline and dead bodies. The mother was so happy that her daughter finally started talking to us as we gave her crayons and coloring books. That was the first time the little girl had spoke since the ordeal began. This family was so traumatized that we didn't think they'd survive in the Red Cross Shelter so we found a family to take them in.

One other family that broke my heart today was a lady and her family who came in. They've lost their home and most of their vehicles. Her grandson had not had a bottle all day, the only thing they could find was coke. Baby is two months old. We have formula, bottles, diapers, etc. on hand from donations. Grandmother has another daughter who was in Gulfport and she can't locate her. Helped to get her posted in online forums, got her phone numbers for her to keep calling and we set them up at a camp down the road from us. They couldn't wait to shower and bathe. I am terribly worried about the grandmother's emotional stability. I don't think she can handle much more.

On the way home I crossed over 300 police cars with their lights on heading to New Orleans. That's when I lost it.

Thanks for letting me get this all out. It's really tough. All day long we hear a multitude of thanks from the victims. They are dumbfounded that someone would want to help them.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
{{{{{DDR}}}}}} Bless your heart for being there and for helping out. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to hear those stories and see their faces and want so much to make it all better for them. Rest in the faith that you are extending some kindness to them and helping them on the first steps along to their healing. Bless you.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
Ddr, I'm crying right along with you, God Bless your efforts, may your heart swell with love so that as you reach out to those in need, your love will help both you and those that need you!!

Today on one of the news channels a man from Pensocola FL said his wife was so upset that it was taking too long to get water and diapers, that she filled a pick up truck and dropped off water and diapers, and then left, they remembered when Ivan hit, how important for weeks, and months later how people would drive just water bottle cases in...

I've never felt so strongly about reaching out...

Abby7
Member

07-17-2002

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Abby7 a private message Print Post    
ddr, that would be so emotionally draining.

it's wonderful you can help in such a personal way.


Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
Ddr, bless you for helping out. If I was closer, I sure would be doing the same thing; wish I WAS closer so I could. Donations just don't seem like much in the face of the real human stories that are out there.

{{{DDR}}}

Coco
Member

07-13-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Coco a private message Print Post    
Awww Ddr, we're here for you hon! Tell ds to give his momma a great big hug. Sip a little glass of wine. I'm thinking of you.

You've got such a good heart and know that those people will never forget your kindness and being there for them. Bless you Ddr.


Fabnsab
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Fabnsab a private message Print Post    
https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2005/step1/r47zuF961kp5X

I know we have alot of animal lovers here so I thought I would post this. The animals left behind are so helpless, it makes me cry just thinking about it. They need all the help we can give.

Sorry if this was posted already. I didn't read through the whole thread yet.




Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 8:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Babyruth a private message Print Post    
((((Ddr)))) It's so wonderful that you are helping. I, too, wish I was closer and could help in a more direct way. Try to take care of yourself, ok? Come here and post all you need to...and get cyber hugs!
hug

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lkunkel a private message Print Post    
DDR: Do take care of yourself. This will be a very draining time, and if you don't take care of yourself first, you can't help others. ::hug::

I was reading an article in Slate: "Lost in the Flood; Why no mention of race or class in TV's Katrina coverage?" by Jack Shafer.

He links to a 5-part article ("Washing Away")in the 2002 New Orleans Times-Picayune, which reported that the city's 100,000 residents without private transportation were likely to be stranded by a big storm. In other words, what's happening is what was expected to happen: The poor didn't get out in time.

The whole article made me sick--reading basically about the government turning a blind eye to the needs of our country first, and instead working on "bringing democracy to the world."

::sigh:: The thought that the death toll could reach 100,000 is extremely scary. I did note that the NY Times and Washington Post cannot determine whether or not the deceased will bring diseases or not. Both of their experts disagreed with the other.

One things that I heard that is correct: It will take years before New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are back to a semblance of normal.

I do hope that somehow the looters, rapists, and other crime breakers will eventually be brought to justice.

myicon

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Moondance a private message Print Post    
Ddr, you are such a great soul. I wish I could be there with you and help. You and everyone are in my thoughts and prayers

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
Ddr, I can only ditto what everyone has said. You are a dear, sweet soul. I can only imagine how draining this is for you. Please take care of yourself as you care for others.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
There was a lady on CNN this afternoon who has compiled a history of New Orleans and they talked briefly about how New Orleans was engineered as a city to separate the classes, so many of the neighborhoods that are hardest hit now are the poorest of the poor. They also talked about the high rate of poverty that exists in New Orleans. That was the first time I'd heard them really discussion the socio-economic aspects of the situation, but the segment wasn't very long.

Through all the coverage, there have been several times when long-term NO residents have talked about the way the government failed to listen and respond to their cries for changes to the levy system that might have helped mitigate this tragedy. There have been political battles for years, but nothing has been done. It's really a failure on so many levels. :-(

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
{{{Ddr}}}

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Thanks guys, I've decompressed and feel better right now. I know I'm in a position to help these people and truly feel blessed to comfort them on their way to recovery. Our job at the Welcome Center is to feed, hydrate, hug and send them on to lodging. Thanks again for letting me vent here, so I don't break down in front of my son.

Max, New Orleans politics.....horror at it's best. That's all I'm gonna say.

I caught Acadian Ambulance CEO Richard Zuchslag's interview on one of the major network new shows. He's a friend of my brother, married a girl from my hometown. I had supper with his brother in law/wife on Saturday. Richard literally started out with one ambulance and has grown this company to the high status of today, serving all of South Louisiana in ambulance care. I could hear the frustration in his voice. I'm sure he's cussed out Bush personally by now, lol.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Does anyone here have a personal contact in Gulfport, MS who could possibly help find info on the daughter of that woman I spoke about earlier? I would sincerely like to try and get some info on her daughter and two grandchildren there. Post here and I'll pm you. Thanks!!!!

Lucy
Member

10-08-2002

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lucy a private message Print Post    
(((((Ddr)))))

Ddr's earlier post...

One other family that broke my heart today was a lady and her family who came in. They've lost their home and most of their vehicles. Her grandson had not had a bottle all day, the only thing they could find was coke. Baby is two months old. We have formula, bottles, diapers, etc. on hand from donations. Grandmother has another daughter who was in Gulfport and she can't locate her. Helped to get her posted in online forums, got her phone numbers for her to keep calling and we set them up at a camp down the road from us. They couldn't wait to shower and bathe. I am terribly worried about the grandmother's emotional stability. I don't think she can handle much more.


Hippyt
Member

06-15-2001

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hippyt a private message Print Post    
Oh very nice. "Renegade buses" I saw a guy who brought his big ass profesional barbque and food to the Astrodome. He was kicked out. People are freaking hungry, he was crying.
Another family who have lost contact with members who opted to stay in the Superdome were told they would not have access to the Astrodome.
It's just chaos.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
Street by street map of damage

I can't vouch for the total accuracy of this map, but I thought some of you might find it useful.

Azriel
Member

08-01-2000

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 10:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Azriel a private message Print Post    
Hippyt, I think they are having to be careful of who they let in because of safety issues. The man with his big ass professional BBQ is trying to help, but there would be issues like does he has a health certificate to serve food to the refugees. It sucks big time, but I understand that they have to be cautious when they are in charge of the 'official' relief effort.

Maybe one of the church or civic shelters will be able to use him. Coordinating this all with so little time has to be a daunting task.