Step-brother missing in New Orleans *FOUND!!!*

[Good Ol Gal]

***** updated 9/6 ******

Thank you everyone for all the hugs and prayers!!

Doug and Amy have been found!!

They watched the hurricane pass by their house from their front porch with a few neighbors.. not much hit them but a little rain, and wind. Well, they thought "hey that wasn't that bad" when 15 minutes later the levee broke!

They had to get up high, fast. Within 15 minutes Doug estimates the water was 10-15 feet high!!

They and two neighbors gathered what they could and climbed into Doug's attic.

Doug opened the little metal window they have up there and climbed on the roof and tried to help others do the same in their roofs.

They were inside their attic from Tuesday until Saturday!!! One neighbor finally got out of their house and had a little canoe and Amy and he paddled off to find a phone.

She was able to call her and Doug's parents and they finally got out!!

They are now in GA but they don't know how long they will be allowed to stay there since Doug is active in the Navy. His Master Chief said that he will be assigned a new base pretty quick.

Thank you thank you thank you to all our DIS friends!!!!


************* original post****************************
My step brother and his wife are still MIA.

They live in Slidell, LA and we heard on the news that the Slidell levee broke and the waves are as high as 15 feet. His home is off I-10.

He is in the navy and just got home and they wanted to stay near the base. No one can reach him by phone or has received an email from him.

20+ family members made it out of the N.O. area and have dispersed to Destin, Fl and Austin, TX.

I don't have the best relationship with him, haven't seen him in years, but he may still be in trouble.

His name is Doug and his wife is Amy. Please keep them in your thoughts.

My mother has lost her house, along with three cousins, grandparents, four sets of aunts/uncles.

**updated 9/1**

Still no word from him. Now I can't even get ahold of my mother! Last I heard from her she was talking crazy about going BACK to NO and try to find Doug. I hope she didn't really try that.

**Updated 9/1 2:45pm**

Just heard from an aunt and she said the my mom IS trying to make her way back to Slidel to find Doug!! She believes that Doug and Amy seeked refuge in their attic and that no one can see them.

I can't get a hold of her to tell her that they won't let her in, and that she needs to stay where it's safe.

Still nothing on my brother.

**updated 9/2 11am**

My mother made her way back to NO and of course they wouldn't let her anywhere near Slidell!!

Still no word from or on Doug or Amy. My mother got ahold of Doug's Master Chief in the Navy and he has not heard from them either.

Please keep praying for them. Doug's mother, Linda, is on her way from GA to FL to be with my mother and stepfather. She is beside herself with worry and fear.

[jajuan]

I am so sorry...I am making a donation to the red cross in hopes of being able to help a bit. Everyone else, please do so. Every little bit helps

[Beauty]

Your family is in our prayers.

[crcormier]

Hopes and good thoughts that they both turn up safe and sound.

[Pop Daddy]

hey :(

[grinningghost]

I'm so sorry to hear all of this. Your family will be included in my prayers. :grouphug:

[kejoda]

Prayers for all. Please let us know when you hear from him.

[4greatboys]

Oh no. Im so sorry to hear that. I will keep them in my prayers that they are found quickly and safely.

[HayGan]

I hope that your brother and his wife are safe. I'll keep them in my prayers :grouphug:

[Dan Murphy]

Hopefully just lack of communications. Do hope they are okay, they are in my prayers. :hug:

[Good Ol Gal]

Thank you already everyone!!

I am in OH so I am waiting to hear from everyone else. I will keep you updated on him.

[Tjaleks]

They will be in my thoughts. :grouphug: Keep us updated please.

[Alicnwondrln]

:grouphug: :grouphug:

[Dcat2u]

Keeping you all in my thoughts! :grouphug:

[ktink]

I will keep your family in my prayers. :grouphug:

[candykisses]

I'll keep your family in my prayers. :grouphug:

[Sparx]

:grouphug: :grouphug:
My dad (I have no relationship with him, he left when I was 3) stayed in NOLA, we haven't heard anything either, but (((hugs))) to your family.

[va32h]

Good Ol Gal - I hope your stepbrother is located quickly and is safe wherever he is.

Now for the inflammatory part:

Where are all the posters who have been complaining about the people who refused to leave? You know, the ones who called them "idiots" and "stupid". The ones who say we shouldn't be wasting our resources trying to rescue people who didn't evacuate?

I've read some really uncharitable things on this board today - just wondering if anyone is going to say it to the face of someone looking for a missing person in LA.

[Southern4sure]

Take a deep breath and try not to overly worry. At times, I cannot get through to my family and friends in Mobile, AL. It is hit and miss. Keep us posted on the outcome.

[dis4me]

:grouphug:

[Kermit]

I'm praying that he'll be able to make contact with someone in your family soon.

[Good Ol Gal]

Good Ol Gal - I hope your stepbrother is located quickly and is safe wherever he is.

Now for the inflammatory part:

Where are all the posters who have been complaining about the people who refused to leave? You know, the ones who called them "idiots" and "stupid". The ones who say we shouldn't be wasting our resources trying to rescue people who didn't evacuate?

I've read some really uncharitable things on this board today - just wondering if anyone is going to say it to the face of someone looking for a missing person in LA.


Thanks and while I am not the one who didn't leave I want to know......

Why would they stay??? Why didn't they leave??? I can't understand it!!

If there is a CAT 5 hurricane coming your way doesn't common sense tell you to leave??!!

It is going to be so sad if something has happened to them, but just knowing that everyone else in the family is safe b/c they left will make it worse!

[Florida_luvr924]

:grouphug:

[Good Ol Gal]

still nothing, but just saw another story on TWC about Slidell.

[Caradana]

Where are all the posters who have been complaining about the people who refused to leave? You know, the ones who called them "idiots" and "stupid". The ones who say we shouldn't be wasting our resources trying to rescue people who didn't evacuate?

Thinking about that literally makes me hurt inside. I consider the people who didn't evacuate to be two different categories.

The first are the people who obviously misjudged the risk - those were the people telling CNN that they hoped their TV and furniture were OK after the storm. To some degree, I can understand people's anger towards those who underestimate risk, because it seems like their rescuers put themselves at risk, expensively, trying to save lives that shouldn't need saving. This also includes the group of fatalists - "If God wants me to live, he'll save me in my own terms, in my own house." Didn't those people make you want to yell at the TV?!? "God helps those who help themselves!!!!!!!!"

The second is the group of people who literally had nowhere to go and no money to take them anywhere. That included a substantial number of elderly and infirm. Think about this: all of us here on the DIS are here because we like to feel woven into a community. There are so many poeple who have no community to fall back on. Thinking about that made me hurt inside. That's the group I want to send rafts and helicopters out to rescue.

[EsmeraldaX]

:grouphug: :grouphug:

[VickiVM]

Thinking about that literally makes me hurt inside. I consider the people who didn't evacuate to be two different categories.

The first are the people who obviously misjudged the risk - those were the people telling CNN that they hoped their TV and furniture were OK after the storm. To some degree, I can understand people's anger towards those who underestimate risk, because it seems like their rescuers put themselves at risk, expensively, trying to save lives that shouldn't need saving. This also includes the group of fatalists - "If God wants me to live, he'll save me in my own terms, in my own house." Didn't those people make you want to yell at the TV?!? "God helps those who help themselves!!!!!!!!"

The second is the group of people who literally had nowhere to go and no money to take them anywhere. That included a substantial number of elderly and infirm. Think about this: all of us here on the DIS are here because we like to feel woven into a community. There are so many poeple who have no community to fall back on. Thinking about that made me hurt inside. That's the group I want to send rafts and helicopters out to rescue.

Based on the interviews of those who chose to stay in their homes, many of them weathered previous hurricanes (Camille, I believe, which was also a Cat. 5) and survived fine. Therefore, they calculated that they would be ok this time as well. All of them said they regretted their decision to stay. They just simply had no idea the devastation would be this great.

Also, NO was the city that Kat was predicted to hit directly and apprx. 80% of the city did evacuate. That's no small task. Mississipi didn't anticipate getting a direct hit and still suffered mind-boggling damage.

Nonetheless, they all deserve our prayers and good wishes.

[Brendita]

:grouphug: :grouphug:
I feel for you.
My DD was in OK, OK when the tornados 13 went through a few years ago.
Prayers & Pixie Dust be with you.

[palmtreegirl]

:grouphug:

[N.Bailey]

I wouldn't put too much stock in the fact that they aren't responding to phone calls or email right now. There is always hope!!! Sending my prayers for their safety too. :grouphug:

[Deesknee]

Prayers for all.

[JennaTX]

Just wanted to let you know that your family is in my prayers tonight!

[mommytotwo]

:grouphug: I hope they are found safe and sound.

[luvthatduke]

Praying for all...

[N.Bailey]

I was just watching the live feed link that was posted and they put this number up. It's for the Red Cross to find out about the status of missing loved ones. Maybe it could help?

866-438-4636

:grouphug:

[Tigger&Tink]

God be with you and your family, while you await news of them being found,,SAFE!!!..


Tink

[kaylajr]

I hope you hear from them soon
YOur family is in my prayers
along with all that are Missing since the storm and all that haveno home to go to

[catherine]

:grouphug: I hope that they turn up safely! :goodvibes

[rnd4life]

Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

[4nana]

:hug: Praying that you hear something soon.
My heart goes out to those affect by this tragedy.

[vettechick99]

Your story really affected me. :( I hope all is well with them and I'm sending a TON of pixie dust that way!

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[septbride2002]

Any update?

[Good Ol Gal]

I was just watching the live feed link that was posted and they put this number up. It's for the Red Cross to find out about the status of missing loved ones. Maybe it could help?

866-438-4636

:grouphug:

Thanks for the number. I have been trying and it has been busy every time.

Still no word from them. Got ahold of his mother who lives in GA and she hasn't heard from them either.

[Deb in IA]

Hoping they will be found safe soon . . .

[ducklite]

See the link in my sig for info on locating loved ones.

[kozmo]

I bet they have no way of communicating, and they are still evacuating people, pray, pray ,pray.

[RickinNYC]

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. Many prayers that all is welll.

[Mom2Ashli]

Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear about your family.
Prayers are being said :grouphug:

[Good Ol Gal]

I tried both the phone number and the website.

The website isn't going thru right now, but I will keep trying.

My mom thinks they can go back there and try to get him. I told her that they are NOT going to let them back in there. I passed the phone number on to them and maybe they will have better luck with it.

I will keep you all updated on this.

[kejoda]

Your Mom needs to be duck taped to a chair;)

continued prayers. And thanks for keeping us updated.

[kelljacques@aol.com]

Elizabeth,

I am so sorry for the pain your family must be feeling right now. I can only imagine how hard this not knowing must be for you and your family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Your friend
Kelly

[tmq2766]

Sending good thoughts!!!!!

[DisneyCP2002]

:grouphug: Hoping you will hear something soon.

[Narvon]

Saying prayers for your family . . . and mine. My aunt and uncle live in Slidell as well and we haven't heard from them. They are older (upper 60's) but in fairly good health. We don't know if they evacuated or not.

ducklite:
Thank for you for posting the information about the Salvation Army's website. I have filled out their form and hope to hear good news soon.

~Narvon

[Meriweather]

Best wishes for getting in touch. Not knowing is SO hard!!

[Good Ol Gal]

My aunt and uncle live in Slidell as well and we haven't heard from them. They are older (upper 60's) but in fairly good health. We don't know if they evacuated or not.


hugs and prayers for your family as well. :grouphug:

[Good Ol Gal]

I put an update on the original post...

Still no word from him. Now I can't even get ahold of my mother! Last I heard from her she was talking crazy about going BACK to NO and try to find Doug. I hope she didn't really try that.

[Mom2Ashli]

I really hope that she didn't try something like that.
I honestly don't think they would let her back into the city.

[Microcell]

I agree, if she did try, she will probably be calling you soon to tell you that she couldn't get anywhere near there.

[grinningghost]

Oh my goodness - I do hope they're both safe somewhere. Please keep us posted and I will keep them in my prayers. :grouphug:

[Tjaleks]

I will be thinking about you and them all day. Please lets us know when you hear from either of them. :hug:

[ducklite]

**updated 9/1**

Still no word from him. Now I can't even get ahold of my mother! Last I heard from her she was talking crazy about going BACK to NO and try to find Doug. I hope she didn't really try that.

She wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the city, don't worry about her.

Please send me an e-mail with info about your missing family, their names, ages, street, and if they might have gone to a shelter, and I will get a BOLO out. Also, follow the link in my sig for info on how to request a BOLO from the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Anne

[Good Ol Gal]

I just posted an update on the org. post.

[LoraJ]

I'm so sorry! :(
:grouphug:

myboyfriend still hasn't heard from his sister. It's getting harder and harder every day.

[Good Ol Gal]

Thanks to all.. I have offers of help from some great DISers, now I just need to get all the specific details from my mom on my brother's exact address, etc.

Mom is still MIA, trying to get back in to find Doug.

[gottaluvPluto]

Sorry you are going through this and I will say some prayers for your family.

Are you sure he didn't evacuate? All military personel had manadory orders to leave; they were not allowed to stay.

[Good Ol Gal]

I have updated the post again.. still NO word from Doug or Amy!

[jellymanoffspring]

So sorry....praying that your family will hear good news soon!!!!

[Good Ol Gal]

Sorry you are going through this and I will say some prayers for your family.

Are you sure he didn't evacuate? All military personel had manadory orders to leave; they were not allowed to stay.

Well I can't say I'm NOT sure, but according to my mother they tried to get them to leave, but they said NO.

My mother got ahold of Doug's Master Chief in the Navy and he has not heard from them either.

[Miller1412]

Prayers for everyone!! :hug:

[Dan Murphy]

Continued prayers for them, Good Ol Gal, and all. :hug:

[Planogirl]

I'm so sorry. I pray for the best. :hug:

[momof2inPA]

Please keep praying for them. Doug's mother, Linda, is on her way from GA to FL to be with my mother and stepfather. She is beside herself with worry and fear. [/COLOR]

Praying for your family and all the flood victims.

[EsmeraldaX]

:hug: You are in our thoughts. :hug:

[trappednabox]

OMG Elizabeth I'm soooo sorry!!! Hope everything comes out well in the end!!! :hug:

[angelkisses]

My prayers are with you and your family. Please keep us updated.

[Good Ol Gal]

Updated on 1st post!!!!

[Mom2Ashli]

Elizabeth - What wonderful News!!

:grouphug:

[mamaprincess]

My love, I am elated for you. We need to hear more like this and I pray we do.

[LoraJ]

Hooray!
So glad that you found them. How awful that they were stuck like that for so long. :(

[mom2alix]

I am so glad to hear that they're okay! I've thought of your original post often in the past few days and worried and prayed for you family. Thank you for sharing your good news! :grouphug:

[jellymanoffspring]

What wonderful news!! Fantastic!!!

[Tjaleks]

That is great news.

[Jennifer S]

Thank God!! So happy for you and your family!!

[snowy76]

Woo hoo! Great news!
:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :thewave:

[Robinrs]

:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc Sooo glad to hear this!! I remember how I felt after 9/11 and when we FINALLY found my cousin, Kevin! What a RELIEF!!

[kelljacques@aol.com]

Elizabeth,

I was so glad to hear the news!!!

[totalia]

I'm so so glad you finally found him. *hugs*

[EsmeraldaX]

:cheer2: :cheer2: That is wonderful news!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

I'm so glad they have been found.

[luvthatduke]

That is so great! Thank you, Jesus!