as of this morning, there are over one million people in the state of louisiana, a quarter of the population, who are homeless. the excitement of monday relating to the fact that New Orleans did not take the "brunt" of the storm has given away to the reality of the present. at least three of the parishes are closed. there is widespread looting and violence, and as a result, martial law has been imposed. the flood waters are continuing to rise in Orleans, and will do so until the Lake levels sometime tonight. 80% of the city is flooded, and much of it is toxic. the mayor is now saying that it could be up until 16 weeks before people are allowed to return. as one resident said last night, "It's over."
these are people who spent their entire lives working for what they had, and were told one day that they had to leave it all behind. they knew when they left it could be a long time before they returned, and they knew when they came back it was uncertain what exactly would be there. more importantly, there are many thousands of people still in the city waiting to be rescued. it came out last night that 10,000 body bags had been ordered. those who have been stranded have called radio and television stations begging to be rescued and believing they are about to die.
living in baton rouge has only added to the surreal-like atmosphere of the entire situation. it is very difficult knowing the places I've driven by many times on my way to New Orleans are no longer there. it is even worse to know that the city I so loved will need years of work to return to some sense of normality.
I know ask all of you to do what you can. Please donate money to the American Red Cross, because that it what is needed most right now. Ask your friends and family to do the same. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will see daylight again one day, but we will need your help getting there.
posted by ayatollah assahola @ 11:38 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home