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
Back From New OrleansAfter spending most of the last week in New Orleans, I'm happy to be back at home, especially as Fay was starting to shower the city.
Don't get me wrong, being in New Orleans was exhilarating, including my opportunity to join with over 210 other volunteers in the ongoing clean-up of a pocket of the Big Easy. While the city still has a long way to go before it's completely recovered, it is as vibrant as ever, and most certainly open for business.
This got me to thinking about the double-edged sword of the news media and the inevitable coverage you can expect this week on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Most of the national news coverage I've ever seen paints a truly negative, nearly hopeless picture. And while I believe it's crucial for the American public to understand that so much remains to be accomplished, the media coverage has undoubtedly also made many potential visitors rethink their trips because they have the mistaken impression that the city is in no condition to welcome them.
Tourism is the blood that keeps New Orleans pulsing. So without the visitors -- despite the astounding strides they've already achieved in rebuilding and repairing -- the city remains in guarded condition.
If you've ever thought about visiting New Orleans, the time is now. And every dollar you spend there helps contribute to the local economy at a time when it's most needed.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, Special Messages
WHEW!
