Katrina Thoughts

My brother-in-law's family is from New Orleans, although he lives in another state. All his extended family evacuated Friday and Saturday, safe with relatives at the other end of the state.

I had a hard time accepting what I heard from my sister Saturday. Her in-laws boarded up their homes, put their belongings up off the ground and left, knowing that most likely they would never see their homes again. I had a hard time accepting their concern that they'd need to find new homes and jobs elsewhere, that their hometown (for many generations) may not be rebuildable.

I live in Texas, a good day's travel from New Orleans. Monday morning, my kids were surprised at the heavy traffic on the interstate heading west. We were lucky, had some wind and much needed rain. We gave a sigh of relief as we heard the hurricane shifted east of New Orleans a little. Maybe things would not be so bad. My sister's in-law heard from some friends who stayed behind. Their street is flooded and no roofs on any of the houses. And this was before the levee broke. Then you watch the news, their fears Saturday no longer seem so far fetched.

I've heard that our hotels are packed, several places in town have offered shelter, radio station is promoting businesses that offer aid to the victims. One fitness center is opening their doors for several hours for a place for stranded families to get some excercise and have some fun. Taste of Texarkana (annual event where food establishments show off their goods) is offering free admission to those stranded. Everyone is doing what small things they can to the help the few who made it here. Superdome refugees are going to the Astrodome. The Collisium in Shreveport is now a refuge shelter. Dallas is also opening their doors, along with many, many other communities, large and small. One of my best friends is a RN in Shreveport, expects to be kept very busy the next several weeks. Many websites such as www.nola.com opened their doors to collect funds, get the word out on survivors and road conditions, etc.

Katrina's impact will be huge. Logistics a nightmare. It could have been much worse, at least a million people had the sense to leave the area before it was too late (and some did not have the means), but they still need homes, jobs, etc.

Overwhelming, too big for any of us to help on our own, what difference will this little bit make? But when we all pitch in and do what little we can, as these communities have done, the combined effort makes a huge difference. Everyone can help. Besides money, blood donations, and time (I believe Red Cross was setting up call centers in various towns) are all needed. Be creative, there are a lot of needs, find one and fill it.