Katrina's Aftermath

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Dear Friends:

It has been another eventful day watching the news and trying to get hold of friends and family.

The situation in New Orleans is dire. Today, efforts to repair a broken levee failed and water is once again spilling into the "bowl" we call New Orleans. Mayor Nagin says that he expects the water to rise perhaps another 15 feet. Massive rescue efforts are underway, scooping people off rooftops and freeing them from attic death traps. We received a report that the prisoners have taken over Orleans Parish Prison. There are now about 30,000 in the Superdome, all without life's basic necessities - food, water, power, sewerage. It's like a war zone. Alligators, snakes, and rats are a problem. There is no gasoline between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

My husband receives periodic updates on his Blackberry from his boss on conditions at his work. Antonio is head of parking at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. LSUHSC had 2 feet of water outside yesterday. This morning, there was 6 feet of water outside and it was rising. The water began flowing into the buildings, shutting off the emergency generators.

The problem New Orleans is having is that the pumps are not working (they are submerged) and they have no way of pumping the water out. In addition, they are having a difficult time keeping more water from spilling into the city because of breaches and breaks in the levee. 80% of New Orleans and surrounding areas is under water.

The police and rescue workers have to spray themselves with Deet to protect themselves from the ravaging mosquitoes. It will be weeks, maybe months before we can get back to our homes. Marshall law is in effect and no one is being allowed into the city right now. Mayor Nagin said that our children will not be able to return to school until December, at the earliest, and that is an optimistic estimate.

My children are having a difficult time dealing with this disaster. My five year old cries and "just wants to go home." My 15 year-old had a major breakdown yesterday - reality just hit her. She has been unable to get in touch with many of her friends and she is frantic.

Everytime we hear another report of bad news, we wonder if it can get any worse! This is the worst natural disaster to occur in the U.S.

I wonder if our fair city will ever return to its former glory...

BUT -

Out of terrible tragedy comes extraordinary acts of kindness. Personally, storytellers from all over the country have offered words of comfort and aid. The response has been overwhelming. I have been trying to answer each individual email and I apologize if I missed you. So, from the bottom of my heart -- THANK YOU!

Until next time...