Well, for the past 2 days, we've had a huge influx of refugees/evacuees from the gulf area. Lots are from New Orleans or the surrounding area, and a few are from the Mississippi/Alabama region. Wow. I feel so horrible for these folks. They've lost so much. They come in and they ask to use the computer, and we honestly rush around trying to find one for them, or ask other people to get off after they've been on at least an hour. But some locals are not very understanding about that. We say things like, "These folks need to see if their family is ok; if their house is still there; if loved ones are dead or alive." But they just kind of snarl at you and plop down to wait their turn to get back on the computer to play their incredibly important game of Yahoo Spades! *sigh*

Bran and I bought water and cookies and even cans/bags of dog/cat food to bring to the shelters this weekend. The library is taking donations too, so I have Alex (niece) getting all her old games and magazines and puzzles together so we can donate it to them. Lord knows how long these people will have to stay here, away from their homes, jobs, etc. Everytime I turn on the TV I start bawling. It's just horrific. Since the levee broke, Lake Ponchertrain is rising and will continue to rise until it's leveled out. Since New Orleans "bowl shaped" and below sea level, this means some places in the city could be under 20 ft of water. People literally have to claw their way to their attic and bust a hole in their roof with a hammer to escape the fast-rising water. Then, they sit on their roofs and pray to be rescued. Some don't make it. And I can't help but wonder -- where is the aid from other parts of the world? Is it wrong for me to feel a little angry / frustrated / disappointed about this??? Why does the world look to America and expect us to give everything and yet, when we need it, we have to literally BEG for it from other countries? Maybe I"m jumping the gun... maybe I am too cynical. Surely they (by THEY, I guess I mean "EARTHLINGS" ... sheesh) will come thru. We'll see.

Meanwhile, I overheard a tourist who claimed to be from Boston (and he had the accent down pat) today say, "Why do we always gotta pay for the damn hurricane damages? All it does is raise our insurance and it ain't even us!" I wanted to swat him. Literally PUMMEL him. It's not like we invoked the WRATH OF GOD, you know?! We didn't ASK to have all this death and destruction floating around. But according to him, we're all doing it just to raise his insurance premiums. **SCREAM**!!

Ok, I'm done venting. I'm just pissed and upset and very, very sad about what's going on.

If you can, please go to NETWORK FOR GOOD and donate to help these people and their families. Everything is there, from the Red Cross to the Humane Society and more.
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/


Additionally, if you want to read the first page of today's New Orleans newspaper -- here is a link as it's being distributed electronically only due to the fact that they're under water.
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/katrina/pdf/083005_a01a02.pdf
Headline: "CATASTROPHIC"

Here's their blog -- and it's updated continually:
http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp

And this is the CBS affliate news station in New Orleans. Pictures, blogs, forum helping families connect to loved ones, etc... updated frequently!
http://www.wwltv.com/

Helpful phone numbers:

Phone numbers for those in extreme emergencies:
Louisiana State Police: (800) 469-4828
St. John Emergencies: (985) 652-6338 | (985) 497-3321
Kenner Emergencies: (504) 468-7200
Coast Guard: (225) 389-2133

Emergency search and rescue phone lines for those in distress:
(225) 925-7708 | (225) 925-7709 | (225) 925-3511 | (225) 925-7412

To inquire about those in the area who did not evacuate:
American Red Cross, (866) GET-INFO

Jefferson Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness:
(504) 349-5360

To begin assistance process:
FEMA, (800) 621-FEMA

To report price gouging:
(800) 488-2770

Number for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer patients who need to continue treatment in Baton Rouge:
(225) 215-1236