Thank you Disney !

[Talking Hands]

You are going to need to have patience. Help is being sent from all over but it takes time to get organized and on the way. Both Florida Baptist and Southern Baptist Disaster Teams are being sent to help with feeding and helping in the areas hit. Normally there is little help the first 3 - 5 days. That's what disaster supplies are for. We were fortunate after Hurricane Andrew to get electricity in 2 weeks. Our neighbors across the street waited a month. The difference, our house was on the line for the school in our neighborhood. There are priorities on what is restored when and homes are not at the top of the list. Hospitals, government structures, schools all come before homes. It was a good 3 weeks before the insurance adjuster got to us. It was that fast because my husband was an agent and taking the adjusters to homes. I did have the advantage of knowing how to list our losses because my husband saw the adjusters helping clients.
Hang in there, rally around and help your neighbors and let them help you. You will survive and rebuild. We did down here but it took years to complete.

 

[WeCantWait]

We are definately praying for you there and will be making donations to several different things to help any way we can. I was saddened to hear that OUR utility workers made a trip up there to help out, but were turned away because they were not union workers. Hopefully at some point those in power will make exceptions to those that are trying to help out those in need.

God Bless,

map57

Really? I find that to be disgusting! Nobody should have been turned away. We are extremely thankful to the power workers who came from West Virginia and restored our power last night. Our house temperature had gone down to 58 degrees by the time our power went on, we would have been freezing last night if not for those good men. Thanks to everybody for their prayers and help.

 

[Maray]

Every storm is different and every relief effort presents its own unique challenges. Remember that just because you don't see people doesn't mean work isn't being done and help isn't being mobilized. If every disaster required the exact same response, it'd be simple. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

I know it's hard to hear "have patience," but it's something to remember.

After Hurricane Floyd, we didn't have power for over a week and a half. We saw crews working every day and thought they'd never get to us. We took showers at work, shared supplies, had block parties to BBQ all of the food thawing in our freezers, and got through it. You will too!

As for patience running short and people reaching a boiling point, take a cue from the Japanese response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami there. Neighbors helped neighbors, people only bought from stores what they needed and left supplies for others, anyone who had transportation or power shared it, there was no looting, no fighting, no violence, no tempers. And their situation was certainly as bad as the aftermath of Sandy. It's up to all of us to police ourselves and stay human in the face of disaster.Have already made my $$ donations, which my company has matched at 100%!

Great Post! I copied your post and e-mailed it to my Niece in NJ:

A point made on a board I frequent- I think this would be good to point out to people, esp. to those just inconvienced by no internet,TV,etc.,and not truly suffering real loss as so many are.

She replied"This is great Aunt Marilyn, I would like to copy it and put this on FaceBook, too good not to share.

Is that all right with You? Since you may see your words passed along,
I wanted to ask your permission.
It is great and may help people be more understanding.

Hugs and Thanks,
Marilyn AKA Maray

 

[WDSearcher]

Fine with me! The thoughts aren't unique -- I'm just the first one to post it here.

 

[woodkins]

Please dont bash the FEMA teams. My husband is on Ohio's team and he left Monday afternoon. These men work their butts off and if there are any delays it is due to higher up in the government than them. I understand you are frustrated but please dont blame them. They are doing the best they can.

I can tell you here on Long Island the residents have been nothing short of hero worshiping the workers! My neighbors and I have brought coffee, snacks and even paid for dinner for a crew at a neighboring table of them when we were at the Outback warming up and getting dinner. Please know we are in no way blaming the workers and are appreciating their hard work.

The situation here is frustrating because government told us to prepare..which we did but it seems like they were not. We filled our gas tanks,cans and generators, but gas only lasts so long...waiting on line for three hours in the hopes of filling up is insanity...especially when terminals have gas but not the ethanol to mix it with for lower emissions....our governor can lift the restriction but hasn't.

Entire neighborhoods are washed away and there is little to no signs of people coming in. My parents community in the hamptons is a war zone, and the only "services" that came through was the town to slap condemned stickers on the front doors. There is no info given when you call utility companies and schools have been closed for the past eleven days and will be closed again tomorrow, it feels like we are the only ones preparing and the government is let off the hook because it takes time etc...,that is why we have agencies like these to be prepared to have plans to spring into action...which I am not seeing happen in my area.