Hurricane Katrina

[KayleeUK]

The news coverage of this is terrible, I feel so sorry for the people it has affected.

Some of the pictures on the BBC news site are awful.

 

[FizzyPop]

My heart goes out to all the families it has affected. Sooooooo sad
Does anyone know the actual path it took as I have family that live in Foley Alabama.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Unbelievable what nature can do.

We got out the day before she hit Florida and that was minimal damage compared to this. Our friends in West Palm Beach, Florida (who had been hit twice last year badly) escaped too with just minor damage, but these poor people . . . . and they have just said on the evening news that the flood water is still rising.

 

[natalielongstaff]

i had a great time in the alabama/new orleans area a few years back......to see the pictures is just horrific.

 

[mandymouse]

It really is hard to imagine how these poor people must be feeling, all their possessions are in ruins and their houses under SO much water. My heart goes out to anyone affected by this awful hurricane, it is going to be months maybe years till everything thing is back to normal

We're thinking about you all at this terrible time

 

[shellbell]

My heart really goes out to all the people affected by Katrina. She has caused huge devastation and its going to take a very long time to rebuild everything that was once there.

Michelle

 

[kathleena]

My heart goes out to all the families it has affected. Sooooooo sad
Does anyone know the actual path it took as I have family that live in Foley Alabama.

The storm was about 450 miles wide and the eye of the storm went up thru Mississippi. It was a massive storm. So AL was on the east side of the storm - which is the worst side for wind. Undoubtedly, they are affected.

This hurricane is beyond all doubt the worst to hit the US in decades. The houses on the Miss coast are flattened up to 6 miles inland. Entire buildings were lifted by the 30ft tidal wave/surge and moved blocks inland. And the worst is yet to be seen in New Orleans.

Most people can't afford hurricane/flood insurance. It will be a total loss for so many people. Tens of thousands are homeless, maybe hundreds of thousands.

I live up in Maine - I would take several blizzards a year over one of these storms. Looking at these images just makes me want to cry. I just can't imagine the horror of it.

Take care everyone!

 

[catherine]

DH lived in Biloxi MS for a while when he was in the navy. We're hoping that his friends all got out in time!

My heart goes out to the people who have been affected by this.

 

[Joanne UK]

I saw on the news this evening that maybe thousands have lost their lives. It could take 3 months to get the power back on in New Orleans.

It's just too horrific and too sad to contemplate.

 

[Disneystar]

Its so sad. My thoughts are with those who have been affected

 

[Pootle]

The news just seems to get worse, tonight on Fox news they mentioned that deaths may be in the thousands not hundreds. Those poor people who have lost everything too. So terrible. I've been to some of the affected places - Biloxi, Gulfport and New Orleans - and it really brings it home to you when you have a clear 'before' picture in your mind. My thoughts are with all those affected by this major disaster.

 

[disney13]

Very sad. We were at Vero Beach when it hit Florida. Nothing compared to the damage that it caused in the Gulf Coast. Lets hope that help reaches those people sooner rather than later.

Andy

 

[mark&sue]

This makes me feel how lucky we are with our weather in the UK. I cannot believe that a whole city in somewhere like the USA can be wiped out and people left to defend for themselves.

The pictures of the poor, needy and disabled people sat out on the highway is terrifying.

I feel so sad at the loss of lives, property, possessions, jobs, pets. In fact everything that we take for granted.

I hope that fresh water, food and essentials can get to the people that need it soon.


Susan

 

[nono]

Are you in the U.K. able to contribute via the American Red Cross links throughout the Disboards site? I'm wondering if you are unable to do so, since no one mentioned making a contribution to help those suffering.

 

[JanElliott]

My DH has always wanted to visit New Orleans and to think that its just total devestation now is just unbelieveable. Those poor people...

 

[profdsny]

Hello all my UK friends. Just wanted to comment on the hurricane. In short, the on-going troubles are beyond belief. Tens of thousands still need to be rescued. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes, and their jobs. As far as death total, it is too early to estimate, but may well be in the thousands. As those are just the immediate deaths, if you will. There will be as many or more from lack of medical care, disease, and just simple lack of care. Many many people have had no clean watter and/or food in days. New Orleans, while not in the center of the storm, has suffered as much as 80% flooding. Some other lesser known towns along the gulf in Alabama, Mississippi, and even Louisiana are also simply gone.
Sadly, the official response be government has been slow. The begining of the week it was said the 3,500 troops would be sent. The need was for 10 or 20 times that five days ago. Only now are things slowly stepping up. A few minutes ago CNN was just showing hospitals in NO that have been operating all week without electricity. It looks like a 3rd world country hospital, not one from a major American city.
Of course you've seen the pictures of looting, which are terrible, but understandable as far as people trying to eat. Taking guns and jewelry is another story, and no defense for. Basically, law and order has broken down in the city.
For me, it's been very strange because I was in New Orleans a week ago, and went to the French Quarter for lunch, then drove around. When I left last Friday, there was little talk, and no concern about this happening. All the area I drove through, from New Orleans to Florida where I went to visit was hit badly. As it was, in Florida I went to Pennsicola to visit a friend, then went down to the beach and saw miles of destroyed houses from the last few hurricanes. They were the ones expecting to be hit again. Mostly this time it missed them.
It was strange just being there. It's like talking to someone, then finding out a few days later that that person died.
Anyhow, thanks for all your support and kind words to the people who have been hit with this. It will take a very very very long time for this area to recover, and it is very likely that New Orleans will never be the same type of city it was, known for food and music. The impact to America is just unbelievable.

 

[carolfoy]

Such a shame this terrible news I hope that help is forthcoming, they said on this mornings news that trucks were going in filled with aid boxes but my heart bleeds for the thousands, nay hundreds of thousands who are suffering the news coverage showing people lying in amongst dead bodies is appalling, it shouldn't be allowed to happen in a modern country, I hope Bush sorts himself out soon as he doesn't seem to be too keen to get involved. Remember after 9/11 mayor Giuliani (sp?) was straight on the scene but Bush all but disappeared! These are his people who are affected after all and he should be showing some solidarity.
I spent my day off yesterday with my son packing aid boxes at a help centre with emergency shelter, food and medical kits I hope they finally reach there!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

This is so tragic
I only have just caught up with all the news, and seeing and hearing what is happening or happened over there makes me feel so sad.
I pray for everyone affected and send my love and condolences to people who have tragically lost loved ones.
My heart goes out to you all over there.

 

[sharon78]

It is so sad,my thoughts are with the people affected by this disaster.

 

[UKDEB]

To our friends in the US - based on comments I've read on the DISboards in the past, I'm not sure that you would necessarily know that this is dominating our news channels over here. We have 24 hour coverage dedicated to little else. I'm increasingly dismayed and distressed by the unfolding tragedy. What strikes me is the fragility of the civilisation we hold dear and just how much we take it for granted.