Short post hurricane update August 30, 2005
Posted by charmingbutsingle in Uncategorized.trackback
I have survived the hurricane. My town received considerable rain and wind, but was largely spared the flooding and destruction. I miraculously have electricity at my apartment, so I have officially moved.
None of my other family members in town have electricity. (They’re part of the one million in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi who do not.) People are bunking up with relatives as best they can. Phone lines are out. Cell phones are not working correctly. We have no cable or Internet in most cases. (I am using the Internet at a coffee shop right now. It was the only way to find out if I have to work tomorrow and to check my bank account. ATMs are out in many places.)
But we are alive, we are dry, we have a place to stay and we have food to eat. This is much more than we can say for hundreds of thousands of others, including members of our family and many friends. I am alternately thankful and terribly guilty for this. Each time I whine about being inconvienced in some way, I immediately feel a sense of shame because people are drowning in their houses waiting to be rescued.
I can’t watch the news anymore. I just can’t take it.
Our family from the New Orleans area (Metairie, Kenner and Old Gentilly) is being told that they will not be able to return for at least a month. I have friends from the also hard-hit Northshore who know little about if they even have houses left because there is absolutely no communication there. The emergency workers can’t even talk to each other.
It is chaos. It is heartbreaking.
I am in a daze. I cannot put words to the things we’ve seen and the stories we’ve heard and the sheer frustration that everyone is feeling. We kept busy by moving my furniture, cleaning up fallen trees and limbs and tracking down a generator because my whole extended family cannot sleep in my one-bedroom apartment.
Will write more later.
I’m in Florida here. We got the very beginnings of Katrina and she was much more intense than anyone anticipated. We lost power for four days (in 98 degree weather) and I threw almost all of the food in my fridge and freezer out, and yet I too feel guilty for even the slightest complaint. Amazing how perspective changes in the blink of an eye.
I’m glad you are safe and well. Take care of you and your family.
A month? Are you serious? I am glad we are landlocked. I feel for ya!
So sorry to hear that. I have a friend that lost his home and business and can’t even get back to try to salvage anything.
I’m glad you are all right. Hang in there.
Sorry to hear that.
Glad you’re okay!
I’m glad you’re okay. Still thinking of you from all the way over here with each bit of news we hear about the hurricane.
You’re in our thoughts, girlfriend. Be safe. Duck.
Hang in there. I am in an area affected by these types of storms, so I can relate to your pain. My thoughts are with you and your friends and family!
Hi. I was thinking of you today as I couldn’t remember which part you were in. So sorry about what has happened and you are in my thoughts. {hug}
Glad to hear you are OK! My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends who were hardest hit!!
I am so very glad to hear that you are ok. Watching it on the news and reading it on your blog is hearbreaking. My heart and my thoughts go out to you and your family.
Hang in there! We’re praying for you and everyone affected.
I’m sorry for your loss, your family’s loss and all that you are going through -
It will be okay - just keep good thoughts
I’m sorry that this has affected you and your family so strongly. Our thoughts are with you.
I’m so glad you’re alright. You are the only person I know of down that way and so I thought of you immediately… It’s strange how much we take for granted.
So glad that you and your family are safe.
My heart goes out to those who will continue to suffer for months to come.
Anyone that can, please open your hearts and wallets and help out.
So glad that you and your family are safe.
My heart goes out to those who will continue to suffer for months to come.
Anyone that can, please open your hearts and wallets and help out.
So glad that you and your family are safe.
My heart goes out to those who will continue to suffer for months to come.
Anyone that can, please open your hearts and wallets and help out.
Glad you are safe. My friend in Pascagoula lost everything…I am just heart sick for everyone in the south. Prayers, happy thoughts, and donations on the way!
Good to hear you are alive and well. Our well wishes are with you, but pls stay strong!
whoa - seriously hope that you and all your family get the help you need to get lives back together.
It’s strange to read your posts about this a year later and be taken back to that crazy time. It sounds like we had very similar experiences. That’s exactly how it was; that’s exactly how I remember it.