HOLY COW! Look at Hurricane Katrina!

[kluchetta]

I feel like I'm missing something here...is there any intenational help being talked about? I mean with the tsunami we had LITTLE KIDS having bake sales, and making bracelets, and NO one is even offering condolences?

 

[KittenKrazy]

Originally Posted by hissy

Those of you without a lot of money and who are in good health- you can always donate blood.

That's where I'm headed tomorrow or Friday, depending on my delivery schedule...it does help!

 

[rosehawke]

I can't verify this, I got it off another forum:

Russia offers help to U.S. after Hurricane Katrina
19:11 | 31/ 08/ 2005



MOSCOW, August 31 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Emergencies Ministry has offered to help the United States with search and rescue work in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, a ministry press release said.

The ministry has approached the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to this end, the release said.

"Two Emergencies Ministry Il-76TD transport planes are ready to fly from the Ramenskoye air base near Moscow, with rescuers, light class search helicopters with international certification, and equipment for work in the disaster area," the statement said.

The ministry is ready to provide help to the U.S. in searching for and evacuating victims, including Russian citizens who are believed to be in the affected area.

 

[katspixiedust]

Originally Posted by RoseHawke

I can't verify this, I got it off another forum:

That's wonderful if it's true. Bless their hearts.

 

[rosehawke]

Yeah, we can use all the help we can get

.

A bit ago I called my sister-in-law and brother's house in Hamilton, (actually Detroit, Alabama) which is in west Alabama but a bit further north than we are I believe. Closer to the track of the storm, but correspondingly further from the coast. They have no power (not surprising, they're waaaaaay out in the boonies) and since they're on a well, they have no water. But they keep drinking water on hand as their well-water isn't potable, they have a large garden, and they have a gas stove. My SIL is using water from rain-barrels to flush the toilet. No big trees down thank goodness. They have several HUGE trees around the tiny house they live in now.

 

[yoviher]

Here goes:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050831/...rina_world_hk4

Katrina Prompts Global Support for Victims

By DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 14 minutes ago

VIENNA, Austria - From papal prayers to telegrams from China, the world reacted with an outpouring of compassion Wednesday for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in messages tinged by shock that a disaster of this scale could occur in the United States.
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Islamic extremists rejoiced in America's misfortune, giving the storm a military rank and declaring in Internet chatter that "Private" Katrina had joined the global jihad, or holy war. With "God's help," they declared, oil prices would hit $100 a barrel this year.

Venezuela's government, which has had tense relations with Washington, offered humanitarian aid and fuel if requested.

The storm was seen as an equalizer — proof that any country, weak or strong, can be victimized by a natural disaster. Images of flood-ravaged New Orleans earned particular sympathy in central Europe, where dozens died in raging floodwaters only days ago.

"Nature proved that no matter how rich and economically developed you are, you can't fight it," says Danut Afasei, a local official in Romania's Harghita county, where flooding killed 13 people last week.

Throughout Europe, concerned citizens lamented the loss of life and the damage caused to New Orleans, often described as one of North America's most "European" cities.

French
President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor
Gerhard Schroeder sent messages of sympathy to
President Bush. Chirac, who has famously quarreled with Bush over the
Iraq war, addressed this letter, "Dear George."

Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for victims of the "tragic" hurricane while China's President
Hu Jintao expressed his "belief that that the American people will definitely overcome the natural disaster and rebuild their beautiful homeland."

Britain's
Queen Elizabeth II also sent a message to Bush saying she was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the devastation caused by the hurricane and expressing her condolences, "especially to the families of those who have lost their lives, to the injured and to all who have been affected by this terrible disaster."

The U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland — a capital at the foot of the Alps hit by flooding last week — said calls were rushing in from Swiss individuals and institutions looking for a way to donate to relief efforts.

"We are getting calls from the Swiss public looking to express their condolences, (and) people are also asking for an account number where they can make donations," said spokesman Daniel Wendell.

The Internet-edition Vienna daily Der Standard had recorded 820 postings commenting on a front-page story on the hurricane. In one of the postings, signature "Emerald" asked where money could be donated to the victims, but the question sparked a debate about whether a rich country like the United States needed such aid.

In response, one posting, from signature "far out," argued that hurricane victims who are poor still needed support.

Amid the sympathy, however, there was criticism.

As U.S. military engineers struggled to shore up breached levees, experts in the Netherlands expressed surprise that New Orleans' flood systems failed to restrain the raging waters.

With half of the country's population of 16 million living below sea level, the Netherlands prepared for a "perfect storm" soon after floods in 1953 killed 2,000 people. The nation installed massive hydraulic sea walls.

"I don't want to sound overly critical, but it's hard to imagine that (the damage caused by Katrina) could happen in a Western country," said Ted Sluijter, spokesman for the park where the sea walls are exhibited. "It seemed like plans for protection and evacuation weren't really in place, and once it happened, the coordination was on loose hinges."

The sympathy was muted in some corners by a sense that the United States reaped what it sowed, since the country is seen as the main contributor to global warming.

Joern Ehlers, a spokesman for World Wildlife Fund Germany, said global warming had increased the intensity of hurricanes.

"The Americans have a big impact on the greenhouse effect," Ehlers said.

But Harlan L. Watson, the U.S. envoy for negotiations on climate change, denied any link between global warming and the strength of storms.

"Our scientists are telling us right now that there's not a linkage," he said in Geneva. "I'll rely on their information."

 

[squirtle]

Anyone else watch President Bush speaking a few minutes ago? They were showing video footage of NO and I had to fight back tears. It sounds like ALOT of people are pulling through to send help in so many ways. It really is amazing how people can come together when something like this happens.

 

[kluchetta]

Thanks for posting that, Victor - I feel better.

 

[amaruuk]

You know, since the hurricane hit, I've noticed something really interesting in the people around me.

Every man I know, has gone insane.
On the day it hit, 8 couples i know suddenly broke up.
3 men I know have totally lost their minds, going from loving partners to completely spaced-out, irrational creatures.

I know that tides affect a great many people. And this hurricane is definately altering the tides.
I do hope it ends soon.
I want my boyfriend back.

 

[sooz123]

I don't know about the men... mine seems to be acting just fine.

I visited New Orleans a few years ago... not during Mardi Gras, just a random couple of days in the summer where we stayed in the French Quarter and visited some of the historic places. It was the best time I've ever had on vacation, so full of life and I remember thinking how great it was that you could find live music in every bar in town at 2pm on a Tuesday, and I was so hoping to go back soon. I get the feeling that once all is said and done, they will be completely committed to bringing the French Quarter back to it's former beauty, one of the main tourist attractions so hopefully it'll breathe life back into the city. I hope they maintain the flavor of the city when they rebuild. On our way home during that trip, we stopped at the *formerly* beautiful Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi. I'm now extremely thankful I got to see these places "before".

Until then it feels so hopeless watching the news. How do you even start rescue and recovery in a city that might be under water to the rooftops for a month? Conditions will certainly grow steadily worse until they get the city drained... and by then it will be a veritable hell on earth as if it weren't already.

They need to get everybody, every last citizen, out of that place ASAP.

 

[xocats]

It's a living nightmare.

 

[sooz123]

I've suddenly got the image of grand pianos and liquor bottles floating through completely submerged dining rooms. It feels like I'm watching Titanic again for the first time.

 

[sashacat421]

I have been on the phone today with some old friends in the NO area. I love that city so much, I wanted to go to Tulane University and have a life there. We were talking about setting up a website called OpenYourHome.org for those families wanting to network in the South to take other families in - elderly, single mothers, fathers, ANYbody homeless - and really do the right thing and help in a magnanimous way. Even though I'm way up here in Seattle, I offered our house too! We have plenty, plenty of room and who knows? Maybe a family needs a new start on life, although it's a long shot.

If anyone, especially our TCS members who might be in a position to open their homes, and want to learn more, I will let you know as soon as the website is set up and who is handling the phone tree for referrals. I hope my friends down there can get it together, does anyone else think this is a great idea or what?

 

[kyliehaven78]

Yes my fiance has family in st. louis bay,ms and he has not been able to get in touch with them at all hopefully all is well, but were relating with u, hope everything is fine with your family and we will all get good news soon this is awfulll!!Lynn

 

[leesali]

If anyone, especially our TCS members who might be in a position to open their homes, and want to learn more, I will let you know as soon as the website is set up and who is handling the phone tree for referrals. I hope my friends down there can get it together, does anyone else think this is a great idea or what?

I think it is a great idea to have a site dedicated to offering those in need from Katrina a place to stay.

A day or two ago, CNN (tv) mentioned www.craigslist.com to post for missing persons and/or temporary housing for Katrina victims. Although, we are way over here on Long Island, NY, (after speaking w/husband), we decided to post an ad offering a room in our home for anyone who needed temporary housing. Offer stands here too, if you know anyone in need of help that can somehow get to NY., our home is open to them. Obviously, no charge for room, food, clothing and whatever we can do to get life back in some sort of order...we will do our best.

You can PM if you know of anyone that needs to relocate for awhile.

 

[amberthe bobcat]

Originally Posted by Amaruuk

You know, since the hurricane hit, I've noticed something really interesting in the people around me.

Every man I know, has gone insane.
On the day it hit, 8 couples i know suddenly broke up.
3 men I know have totally lost their minds, going from loving partners to completely spaced-out, irrational creatures.

I know that tides affect a great many people. And this hurricane is definately altering the tides.
I do hope it ends soon.
I want my boyfriend back.

Strange you should mention this. I didn't see any change in people around here, but on Tuesday, when the remnants of katrina came though dumping heavy rain, Amber was a bobcat that even I needed to stay away from

When I got up in the morning, I walked over to her and the first thing she did, was hiss and smack me in the face so hard, I thought I would have gotten a black eye. I am happy to say, that now that Katrina is gone, she is much better. I am happy to hear the news that nations around the world are helping out.

 

[wellingtoncats]

I saw a report on the news today about a poor man who lost his wife. I just couldn't stop bawling. I hope they do collection buckets soon.

 

[amberthe bobcat]

If you want to doante, just be VERY cautious on WHO you give your money to. I WON'T give to anyone, other than agencies such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or other MAJOR relief agency. There are going to be scum bags out there who are going to try and scam people out of money. Disasters like this will bring out the good in most people, however, it will also bring out the bad in the few. So, if you see someone collecting money saying they will give it as relief for areas hard hit by Katrina, do not give. Give to these agencies you know and trust only. I can not stress this enough

 

[rockcat]

Did anyone see the elderly lady with the cat on TV? A rescue crew in an airboat saw her in the window and she said " I have a cat." They took both of them.

She had to crawl out of the window. She said she didn't leave because she didn't think they (she must have meant a shelter) would take her cat.

 

[marge]

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Did anyone see the elderly lady with the cat on TV? A rescue crew in an airboat saw her in the window and she said " I have a cat." They took both of them.

She had to crawl out of the window. She said she didn't leave because she didn't think they (she must have meant a shelter) would take her cat.

Ahhh that is so cool. I would never leave without my Sammy, in fact I figured it out, living in SF bay area and the quake threat is here, that I would crate him FIRST thing if a quake hits. Then do my other duties. This hurricane got me off my duff with all this too, I have my water stored now, and canned goods, first aid. Just need the batteries for my radio.