Rick Duplantier Finally Responds Via BlackBerryAs you may recall from my posting on Sunday, I was still awaiting word, any word, that my college friend
Rick Duplantier was safe.
Little did I know that he would be weathering
Hurricane Gustav from his home in New Orleans -- the same home that was severely damaged by the flooding from
Hurricane Katrina. I guess if I had remembered he had posted the above sign on his property, I should have known where he'd be.
Rick texted me via his BlackBerry this morning:
Working with a blackberry battery that is going to run out. Yes, I stayed in my house and it was a very interesting event. We built this new house to make stand and we did.Plan to help with clean-up today so we are back to normal by Wednesday.
I am in the City of New Orleans. No real damage, and although there is wind and tree damage it appears minor. Our evacuation procedures and levees worked as planned. The only issue now is minor inconveniences of clearing debris and lack of power.
Our office should be up in New Orleans tomorrow, but all other offices fully operational. You can try and reach my via blackberry which seems to be working now but will be volunteering so may not have time to respond right away.
Go Saints!!
While I'm not sure I would or could have made the same decision to stay, I'm beyond relieved he is safe. And my hat is off to him for already plunging headlong into volunteer efforts. In case you haven't already figured this out, Rick is quite a guy.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Hurricane Gustav, New Orleans, Rick Duplantier, Special Messages
WHEW!As Hurricane Gustav gave way to
Tropical Depression Gustav, that huge collective sigh America heard was one of immense relief that New Orleans didn't experience a catastrophic repeat of
Hurricane Katrina.
The levees held, even as water sloshed over their tops, and while the worst of the storm has passed,
flood watches along Lake Pontchartrain remain in effect until 10 a.m. CDT.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin
has promised that "re-entry is only days away, and not weeks."
UPDATE (9/2/08, 12:50 p.m.):MSNBC is reporting:
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he has received reports of widespread damage across three parishes — Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary — near where the eye of the storm hit. Helicopter crews were expected to search the area for anyone injured or killed.
With millions still displaced from their homes, as well as damage in the wake of Gustav requiring attention, including from relief agencies like the American Red Cross, I strongly encourage you to join me in giving to this organization. To donate, simply click
here.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Charitable Organizations, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
Where Are You, Rick Duplantier?Much to my relief, one of my dear friends from New Orleans, MB, commu-nicated with me last evening, even as
Hurricane Gustav comes barreling toward the southwest of the Big Easy as a Category Three storm. She reassured me that she was to board a flight to Atlanta today.
But I'm still waiting to hear from my college friend
Rick Duplantier, who rebuilt after Katrina. Rick, if you're out there and read this, please let me know you're OK!
As noted above, MB sent me a quick e-mail, reassuring me:
After massive search and many calls, found two Sunday tickets to Atlanta on AirTran -- too much money, but it was that or drive or bail! With the traffic, it would have been 24 hours, I'm sure.
But our concerns about a trip are miniscule. I don't know how my many friends -- and thousands of others -- who lost everything last time are coping now. I'm emotionally fragile, and I can just imagine how they feel.
At least this time, people are getting out of town. Now.
Maybe it'll miss us. But then again, that means it's going to hit someone else. Then again, where is safe? Sacramento has the same levees we do; California has the earthquakes, midwest the storms, east coast the hurricanes.........
Too many musings, back to work, then to pack!
I'm hoping her flight made it out as scheduled.
As I noted yesterday, while it may not be much, I donated to the
American Red Cross in recognition that they're already hard at work in preparing for the eventual disaster relief they'll be providing in Gustav's aftermath. Additionally, as my friend
Alicia reminded me , another key way to help is to donate blood.
I strongly encourage you to to what you can. To donate, simply click
here.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Charitable Organizations, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
New Orleans: Déjà Vu All Over Again?After
having just been in New Orleans at the beginning of the week and departing the city's Louis Armstrong Airport as the remnants of
Fay were blowing through, I am absolutely heartsick that the Big Easy -- so ravaged by
Hurricane Katrina three years ago yesterday -- is now bracing for
Hurricane Gustav.
Unlike
Michael Moore, I'm not laughing and find it repulsive that anyone would use such a devastating event to score cheap political points when
so many lives have already been lost in this hurricane's wake.
While I'm awaiting word from my friends who live in New Orleans -- hoping they're in a safe place, and if not, wishing them Godspeed -- the seeming inevitability of Gustav striking Louisiana and Texas has me wishing I could do something. Anything.
And while it may not be much, I've just donated to the
American Red Cross in recognition that they're already hard at work in preparing for the eventual disaster relief they'll be providing in Gustav's aftermath.
I strongly encourage you to join me by doing the same. To donate, simply click
here.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Charitable Organizations, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
