For information on hurricane Katrina relief, call 866-GET-INFO or visit www.redcross.org
I am addicted to The Weather Channel, CNN and even the FOX News Network right now. Katrina has its hold on me. This is tragic history happening live and I can’t stop watching. I can’t stop thinking about the millions of people that will loose homes, jobs, businesses, loved ones or even their own lives. The history that will be washed away with the storm surge. New Orleans and the other cities and towns along the coast and for miles inland will be devastated. Some may even be wiped out. The people of these areas are becoming refugees by the minute and we still have almost two months of hurrican season left to go!
I walked away from the Internet long enough to heat my lunch. I would like to say that I was shocked or even mildly surprised by what I heard people saying as they microwaved their mid-day meals, but I wasn’t. So many people were saying something along the lines of, “I’m so glad I don’t live there and that this storm isn’t going to impact us here.” Ahh, sweet naivety and the sweet bliss of ignorance. I of course was quick to burst this bubble of theirs and informed them of the ways a storm this huge affects us all either directly or indirectly. Many jaws dropped open. I hope that they will think about the people of the South and not their own gas tank for a few minutes while they stuff their pie holes. I returned to my desk and my news surfing. When at home I watch (or on the Internet read) the first two networks I mentioned above for serious news with up to date and accurate information. I watch FOX when the other two go to commercial and I want to see what stupidity their field reporters – AKA Adventure Boys (or girls) –are up to. This morning I was watching FOX to see if their idiot in the field would loose an eye, limb or life as he stood head first into the winds at a forty-five degree angle all the while yelling into his microphone about the increase in flying debris. The clowns in the safety of the newsroom hundreds of miles away were reading emails to him from concerned viewers that were suggesting he put on safety goggles! Not that safety goggles would have helped him much had he been hit by one of the flying tree limbs that blew by, but he wasn’t wearing any safety gear at all! Why not suggest that he get under cover and out of the way of flying debris altogether? FOX, the sensationalist news network, where they risk their field reporters for your viewing entertainment! Anyway, I have to get back to the news and see what’s happened in the last ten minutes.
Hey Will, Our TV has been on the storm for two days now. You just don't know what will happen next! We are under a toronado watch now from Katrina.
Posted by: Joe on August 29, 2005 03:35 PMFrom a CNN article.
Officials warned Louisiana evacuees to stay away for at least a week to avoid "a wilderness" without utilities that will be infested with poisonous snakes and fire ants.
"We would really encourage people not to come back [to New Orleans] for at least a week," said Ivor van Heerden, director of the Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes in Baton Rouge.
"If you came back, you would be coming literally to a wilderness," he said. "If your house is gone, it's gone. If you come back in a day or a week,it's not going to make any difference."
And this...
Police in New Orleans and surrounding parishes received more than 100 calls from residents trapped on top of their roofs.
"Tell someone to come get me please. I want to live," resident Chris Robinson told the AP via cell phone from his home east of downtown.
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Praying for the victims of hurricane Katrina is all well and good, but these folks need food, clothes, shelter and medical supplies. That takes volunteers, money, and donations. Take a few moments break from the praying and pick up the phone and contact the American Red Cross at 866-GET-INFO to see what you can do to help.
Peace,
--Will
I have spoken with the Red Cross this morning and they are asking for monetary donations in any amount that people can spare. Do not send canned goods, clothes or blankets. The Red Cross will use the money donated to purchase supplies based on immediate need and priorities set by officials on site.
This from an article at CNN,
"No sewage, no drinking water, contamination, threat of rapid increase in mosquitoes, roads are impassible, downed power lines everywhere, trees, debris from houses in the roads, no way to go shopping, no gas," said Ivor van Heerden, director of the Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes in Baton Rouge.
The American Red Cross' relief operation would be the largest in its history, the organization's president, Marty Evans, said on CNN's "Paula Zahn Now" -- larger than for all four of last year's Florida hurricanes combined.
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